used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
a former copper coin of Pakistan and India
From this reading Little Anna Parsons sat silent at her feet.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Little Anna Parsons sat silent at her feet.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
beautifullyadverbUS /ˈbjuːtəfli/
in a beautiful manner
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
cakesnounUS /keɪks/
plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
ChristophernounUS /ˈkrɪstəfər/
Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
Christopher'snounUS /ˈkrɪstəfərz/
possessive form of “christopher” — Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
contentedlyadverbUS /kənˈtentədli/
with equanimity
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Do you sing, Letty?”
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
divisible by two
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
fairiesnounUS /ˈferiz/
plural of “fairy” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Little Anna Parsons sat silent at her feet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
lemonadenounUS /ˈleməˈneɪd/
sweetened beverage of diluted lemon juice
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
LETTY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Little Anna Parsons sat silent at her feet.
LULLABYnounUS /ˈlʌləbaɪ/
a quiet song intended to lull a child to sleep
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
used to form the superlative
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
ParsonsnounUS /ˈpɑːrsənz/
United States sociologist (1902-1979)
From this reading Little Anna Parsons sat silent at her feet.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
platesnounUS /pleɪts/
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Little Anna Parsons sat silent at her feet.
deliver by singing
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
SINGSverbUS /sɪŋz/
third-person singular of “sing” — deliver by singing
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
storytelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LETTY SINGS A LULLABY After the lemonade had all been drunk and most of the cakes eaten—for not even Christopher’s best efforts could quite empty the many plates—Letty offered to go back to her storytelling.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
which person or people
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She sat down on the grass with her back against a tree trunk and the twins curled themselves up contentedly on each side.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Do you sing, Letty?”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Why are your stories always about people or fairies who sing beautifully?” asked Christopher unexpectedly, after Letty had related two or three tales of her own invention.
