used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
darkeradjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkər/
comparative of “dark” — devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
delightfullyadverbUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəli/
in a delightful manner
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
a young female
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
the act of departing
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
immediately past
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
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 old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
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 THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
misfortunesnounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “misfortune” — unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
of an obscure nature
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
NurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
many times at short intervals
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
on one occasion
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
Peggy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
a human being
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
pouncingverbUS /ˈpaʊnsɪŋ/
-ing form of “pounce” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
RebeccanounUS /rəˈbekə/
(Old Testament) wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
regularlyadverbUS /ˈreɡjələrli/
in a regular manner
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
RhymesnounUS /raɪmz/
plural of “rhyme” — correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
scrubbedadjectiveUS /skrʌbd/
made clean by scrubbing
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
shoenounUS /ʃuː/
footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
Smiley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
uninterestingadjectiveUS /əˈnɪntrəstɪŋ/
arousing no interest or attention or curiosity or excitement
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
on a floor above
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
precisely as stated
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading _Nursery Rhymes._ IN spite of her misfortunes, Peggy could not help feeling very pleased at finding herself at last inside the house she had watched so often from the outside.
we'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
Whelan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
in or at the place that
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading THE OPPOSITE HOUSE "There was an old woman that lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do."
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading "There's Mother Whelan's door," Matilda said in a half whisper, as if afraid of the old woman's pouncing out upon them, and Peggy wondered how she knew it, for to her everything was perfectly dark; "but we'll go upstairs first to Rebecca," and on they climbed.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading The old wooden steps were scrubbed down once a week regularly, so there was nothing to strike the little girl as disagreeable, and it seemed delightfully queer and mysterious as she climbed the steep, uneven staircase, which grew darker and darker as they went on, so that but for Brown Smiley's voice in front, Peggy would not have had the least idea where she was going.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was certainly not a pretty house--a big person would probably have thought it a very poor and uninteresting one; but it was not dirty.
