used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
algebranounUS /ˈældʒəbrə/
the mathematics of generalized arithmetical operations
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Christmas comes but once a year, And then Mother wishes it wasn't here."
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
atrociousadjectiveUS /əˈtroʊʃəs/
shockingly brutal or cruel
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I know one thing to be thankful for, and that is that there'll be no school.
a youthful male person
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading "Christmas comes but once a year, And then Mother wishes it wasn't here."
coiledadjectiveUS /kɔɪld/
curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals)
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading "Christmas comes but once a year, And then Mother wishes it wasn't here."
crumbsnounUS /krʌmz/
plural of “crumb” — a very small quantity of something
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
declaimverbUS /dɪˈkleɪm/
recite in elocution
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
equationnounUS /ɪˈkweɪʒən/
a mathematical statement that two expressions are equal
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
all things; all of a situation
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
flourishverbUS /ˈflɜːrɪʃ/
grow vigorously
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I know one thing to be thankful for, and that is that there'll be no school.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Christmas comes but once a year, And then Mother wishes it wasn't here."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I know one thing to be thankful for, and that is that there'll be no school.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Christmas comes but once a year, And then Mother wishes it wasn't here."
Keith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I know one thing to be thankful for, and that is that there'll be no school.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
take the midday meal
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
molassesnounUS /məˈlæsəz/
thick dark syrup produced by boiling down juice from sugar cane; especially during sugar refining
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "Christmas comes but once a year, And then Mother wishes it wasn't here."
not any; not one
From this reading "I know one thing to be thankful for, and that is that there'll be no school.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
the middle of the day
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
obliviousadjectiveUS /əˈblɪviəs/
(followed by “to” or “of”) lacking conscious awareness of
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
obstinateadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbstənət/
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
on one occasion
From this reading "Christmas comes but once a year, And then Mother wishes it wasn't here."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "I know one thing to be thankful for, and that is that there'll be no school.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
pencilnounUS /ˈpensəl/
a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
an educational institution
From this reading "I know one thing to be thankful for, and that is that there'll be no school.
slatenounUS /sleɪt/
(formerly) a writing tablet made of slate
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
a male human offspring
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
sugaryadjectiveUS /ˈʃʊɡəri/
containing sugar
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
suspendedadjectiveUS /səˈspendɪd/
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
syrupnounUS /ˈsɜːrəp/
a thick sweet sticky liquid
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
thankfuladjectiveUS /ˈθæŋkfəl/
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading "I know one thing to be thankful for, and that is that there'll be no school.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I know one thing to be thankful for, and that is that there'll be no school.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Christmas comes but once a year, And then Mother wishes it wasn't here."
there'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I know one thing to be thankful for, and that is that there'll be no school.
a special situation
From this reading "I know one thing to be thankful for, and that is that there'll be no school.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Christmas comes but once a year, And then Mother wishes it wasn't here."
which person or people
From this reading "I don't, then," said Gordon, son number two, who was preparing his own noon lunch of bread and molasses at the table, and making an atrocious mess of crumbs and sugary syrup over everything.
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading "Christmas comes but once a year, And then Mother wishes it wasn't here."
in the company of; together with
From this reading But he looked up from his slate, with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation, to declaim with a flourish:
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Keith, the oldest boy, was coiled up on the sofa calmly working out some algebra problems, quite oblivious to the noise around him.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading "Christmas comes but once a year, And then Mother wishes it wasn't here."
