Chapter V

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

United States novelist noted for children's books (1832-1888)

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

a former copper coin of Pakistan and India

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As they grew older, they delighted in private theatricals.

a yard adjoining a barn

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

plural of “conversation” — the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

greatly pleased

From this reading As they grew older, they delighted in private theatricals.

psychological suffering

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

plural of “doll” — a small replica of a person; used as a toy

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

a flour mixture stiff enough to knead or roll

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

plural of “fairy” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

unflinching in battle or action

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

plural of “giant” — any creature of exceptional size

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

cake flavored with ginger

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

plural of “gnome” — a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading As they grew older, they delighted in private theatricals.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

-ing form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

plural of “kitten” — young domestic cat

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

plural of “knight” — originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

the literary culture

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

having the excitement and emotional appeal of melodrama

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

the force of workers available

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading As they grew older, they delighted in private theatricals.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading As they grew older, they delighted in private theatricals.

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

a small piece of cloth or paper

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

past form of “reign” — have sovereign power

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

free from harm or evil

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

not often

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

with skill

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

past form of “sprinkle” — distribute loosely

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As they grew older, they delighted in private theatricals.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As they grew older, they delighted in private theatricals.

spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

plural of “toy” — an artifact designed to be played with

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

plural of “tragedy” — an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

plural of “villain” — a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

which person or people

From this reading The girls had toys and a variety of them,--rag dolls, kittens, gingerbread men, and barnyard animals (the latter skillfully cut out of cake dough by the mother, who had a genius for inventing surprises).

plural of “witch” — a female sorcerer or magician

From this reading They are thrillingly melodramatic, thickly sprinkled with villains and heroes, witches and ruffians, lovely ladies in distress, gallant knights to the rescue, evil spirits and good fairies, gnomes and giants.

in the company of; together with

From this reading LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN HAPPINESS reigned in the Alcott home, and poverty seldom brought with it a shadow.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Some of their plays, written by Anna and Louisa, have been published under the title of "Comic Tragedies."