used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
how long something has existed
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
Aleck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
(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 They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
biddingnounUS /ˈbɪdɪŋ/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
CampbellnounUS /ˈkæmbəl/
United States mythologist (1904-1987)
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading In the spring, Frankie commenced going to school.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
Frankie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the spring, Frankie commenced going to school.
Frankie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
gentleradjectiveUS /ˈdʒentlər/
comparative of “gentle” — soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
the act of departing
From this reading In the spring, Frankie commenced going to school.
good-byenounUS /ɡɪdˈbaɪ/
a farewell remark
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the spring, Frankie commenced going to school.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
lovelier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
engage in
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
playmatesnounUS /ˈpleɪmeɪts/
plural of “playmate” — a companion at play
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
poplars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
SabbathnounUS /ˈsæbəθ/
a day of rest and worship: Sunday for most Christians; Saturday for the Jews and a few Christians; Friday for Muslims
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
an educational institution
From this reading THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
the season of growth
From this reading In the spring, Frankie commenced going to school.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading Miss Campbell, his Sabbath School teacher, received a dozen little boys and girls at her own house.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the spring, Frankie commenced going to school.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first day of school was as delightful as April sunshine could make it, and Frankie’s heart seemed full of sunshine; at least it shone out of his bright eyes, as he kissed his mother, and bidding Aleck good-bye, he ran down the walk, and disappeared behind the poplars.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading They were all nearly of an age and old playmates, so a merry little company they made--full of fun and mischief; but never had school a gentler, lovelier mistress than Miss Campbell, or Miss Ruth, as she wished the children to call her.
