used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “How good do I have to be?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
bright-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
Claus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading THE COMING OF ST.
cushionyadjective
softened by the addition of cushions or padding
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “How good do I have to be?
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
emphasizedadjectiveUS /ˈemfəsaɪzd/
spoken with emphasis
From this reading Marjorie emphasized her injunction with gentle little shakes of a forefinger.
ensconcedverbUS /ɪnˈskɑːnst/
past form of “ensconce” — fix firmly
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
evokedadjectiveUS /ɪˈvoʊkt/
called forth from a latent or potential state by stimulation
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
forefingernounUS /ˈfɔːrfɪŋɡər/
the finger next to the thumb
From this reading Marjorie emphasized her injunction with gentle little shakes of a forefinger.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
brought together in one place
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Marjorie emphasized her injunction with gentle little shakes of a forefinger.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
in a grave and sober manner
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “How good do I have to be?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Marjorie emphasized her injunction with gentle little shakes of a forefinger.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How good do I have to be?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “How good do I have to be?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
injunctionnounUS /ˌɪnˈdʒʌŋkʃən/
a formal command or admonition
From this reading Marjorie emphasized her injunction with gentle little shakes of a forefinger.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
NICKverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COMING OF ST.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
SantanounUS /ˈsæntə/
the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
shakesnounUS /ʃeɪks/
plural of “shake” — building material used as siding or roofing
From this reading Marjorie emphasized her injunction with gentle little shakes of a forefinger.
ST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMING OF ST.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
SusannanounUS /suːˈzænə/
an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Daniel
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COMING OF ST.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
trebleadjectiveUS /ˈtrebəl/
having or denoting a high range
From this reading Will Santa Claus come down the chimney?” anxiously questioned Miss Susanna in a high treble that evoked a burst of merriment from the rest of the little group gathered about the fire.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Marjorie emphasized her injunction with gentle little shakes of a forefinger.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading NICK “You know, if you are good, Santa Claus will surely visit you on Christmas eve,” Marjorie was gravely saying to the bright-faced, alert little old lady ensconced in a big cushiony chair before the cheerful open fireplace.
