used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
in a state of sleep
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
babiesnounUS /ˈbeɪbiz/
plural of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
bestirverb
become active
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
bonnets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
claspverbUS /klæsp/
hold firmly and tightly
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
coaxedverbUS /koʊkst/
past form of “coax” — influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
consignverbUS /kənˈsaɪn/
commit forever; commit irrevocably
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
disengageverbUS /dɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/
release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
drowsyadjectiveUS /ˈdraʊzi/
half asleep
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
divisible by two
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
fretfuladjectiveUS /ˈfretfəl/
nervous and unable to relax
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
frowsyadjective
negligent of neatness especially in dress and person; habitually dirty and unkempt
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
hatsnounUS /hæts/
plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
heronnounUS /ˈherən/
Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, I’m sorry it was only a dream!”
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Oh, I’m sorry it was only a dream!”
JANE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
mamanounUS /ˈmɑːmə/
informal terms for a mother
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh, I’m sorry it was only a dream!”
and nothing more
From this reading Oh, I’m sorry it was only a dream!”
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
presentableadjectiveUS /prəˈzentəbəl/
fit to be seen
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
smoothedadjectiveUS /smuːðd/
made smooth by ironing
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
soiledadjectiveUS /sɔɪld/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading Oh, I’m sorry it was only a dream!”
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
TONY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
tumbledverbUS /ˈtʌmbəld/
past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
which person or people
From this reading Lady Jane did not open her eyes until her companion gently tried to disengage Tony from her clasp in order to consign him to his basket; then she looked up with a smile of surprise at her mother, who was bending over her.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “Why, mama,” she said brightly, “I’ve been asleep, and I had such a lovely dream; I thought I was at the ranch, and the blue heron was there too.
wipedverbUS /waɪpt/
past form of “wipe” — rub with a circular motion
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading TONY GOES WITH LADY JANE And now that the end of the journey was so near, the drowsy passengers began to bestir themselves.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading In order to look a little more presentable, dusty faces and hands were hastily wiped, frowsy heads were smoothed, tumbled hats and bonnets were arranged, and even the fretful babies, pulled and coaxed into shape, looked less miserable in their soiled garments, while their mothers wore an expression of mingled relief and expectation.
