used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But, of course, the last birthday a person has always seems the nicest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
AREauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
ASPIRATIONSnounUS /ˌæspərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “aspiration” — a will to succeed
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading John borrowed fifty cents from Levy, the butcher, and bought a perfectly good spy-glass.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading John borrowed fifty cents from Levy, the butcher, and bought a perfectly good spy-glass.
brightestadjectiveUS /ˈbraɪtəst/
superlative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, of course, the last birthday a person has always seems the nicest.
butcherverbUS /ˈbʊtʃər/
kill (animals) usually for food consumption
From this reading John borrowed fifty cents from Levy, the butcher, and bought a perfectly good spy-glass.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
centsnounUS /sents/
plural of “cent” — a fractional monetary unit of several countries
From this reading John borrowed fifty cents from Levy, the butcher, and bought a perfectly good spy-glass.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But, of course, the last birthday a person has always seems the nicest.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
every person
From this reading Everyone had presents for her.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading John borrowed fifty cents from Levy, the butcher, and bought a perfectly good spy-glass.
FLIP'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Everyone had presents for her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading John borrowed fifty cents from Levy, the butcher, and bought a perfectly good spy-glass.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Everyone had presents for her.
happiestadjectiveUS /ˈhæpiəst/
superlative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
HASauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Everyone had presents for her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John borrowed fifty cents from Levy, the butcher, and bought a perfectly good spy-glass.
immediately past
From this reading But, of course, the last birthday a person has always seems the nicest.
LEARNSverbUS /lɜːrnz/
third-person singular of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
LevyverbUS /ˈlevi/
impose and collect
From this reading John borrowed fifty cents from Levy, the butcher, and bought a perfectly good spy-glass.
LOVELIEST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
MARTHA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
Mary'snounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
MicknounUS /mɪk/
(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Irish descent
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
nicestadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪsɪst/
superlative of “nice” — pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading But, of course, the last birthday a person has always seems the nicest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
oodlesnounUS /ˈuːdəlz/
a large number or amount
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading John borrowed fifty cents from Levy, the butcher, and bought a perfectly good spy-glass.
a human being
From this reading But, of course, the last birthday a person has always seems the nicest.
presentsnounUS /ˈprezənts/
plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading Everyone had presents for her.
To recall to mind.
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
ribbonsnounUS /ˈrɪbənz/
plural of “ribbon” — any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
SECRETSnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But, of course, the last birthday a person has always seems the nicest.
sewing-basket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
spy-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John borrowed fifty cents from Levy, the butcher, and bought a perfectly good spy-glass.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
in or at that place or location
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From Father and Uncle Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a sewing-basket.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she could remember.
