used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Despite her tragic utterance, she proceeded to a vigorous hand-shaking with Muriel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading “Not one of you has the proper idea of the romance which should attend a serenade.
behalfnounUS /bɪˈhæf/
as the agent of or on someone's part (usually expressed as “on behalf of” rather than “in behalf of”)
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Captured by Sanfordites!” exclaimed Robin dramatically.
CapturedverbUS /ˈkæptʃərd/
past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading “Captured by Sanfordites!” exclaimed Robin dramatically.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Despite her tragic utterance, she proceeded to a vigorous hand-shaking with Muriel.
disgustverbUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/
fill with distaste
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
dramaticallyadverbUS /drəˈmætɪkli/
in a very impressive manner
From this reading “Captured by Sanfordites!” exclaimed Robin dramatically.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “Captured by Sanfordites!” exclaimed Robin dramatically.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading “What fate is left to us now?”
hand-shaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite her tragic utterance, she proceeded to a vigorous hand-shaking with Muriel.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Not one of you has the proper idea of the romance which should attend a serenade.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Despite her tragic utterance, she proceeded to a vigorous hand-shaking with Muriel.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “Not one of you has the proper idea of the romance which should attend a serenade.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What fate is left to us now?”
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading “What fate is left to us now?”
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
Muriel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite her tragic utterance, she proceeded to a vigorous hand-shaking with Muriel.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not one of you has the proper idea of the romance which should attend a serenade.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “What fate is left to us now?”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Not one of you has the proper idea of the romance which should attend a serenade.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
Phyllis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
praisedverbUS /preɪzd/
past form of “praise” — express approval of
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
prancingverbUS /ˈprænsɪŋ/
-ing form of “prance” — to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading Despite her tragic utterance, she proceeded to a vigorous hand-shaking with Muriel.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading “Not one of you has the proper idea of the romance which should attend a serenade.
small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
From this reading “Captured by Sanfordites!” exclaimed Robin dramatically.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading “Not one of you has the proper idea of the romance which should attend a serenade.
Sanfordites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Captured by Sanfordites!” exclaimed Robin dramatically.
serenadenounUS /ˌserəˈneɪd/
a musical composition in several movements; has no fixed form
From this reading “Not one of you has the proper idea of the romance which should attend a serenade.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Despite her tragic utterance, she proceeded to a vigorous hand-shaking with Muriel.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “Not one of you has the proper idea of the romance which should attend a serenade.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Not one of you has the proper idea of the romance which should attend a serenade.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “What fate is left to us now?”
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading Despite her tragic utterance, she proceeded to a vigorous hand-shaking with Muriel.
on a floor above
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “What fate is left to us now?”
utterancenounUS /ˈʌtərəns/
the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
From this reading Despite her tragic utterance, she proceeded to a vigorous hand-shaking with Muriel.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading Despite her tragic utterance, she proceeded to a vigorous hand-shaking with Muriel.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What fate is left to us now?”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Not one of you has the proper idea of the romance which should attend a serenade.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Despite her tragic utterance, she proceeded to a vigorous hand-shaking with Muriel.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Now why couldn’t you have stayed upstairs like nice children and praised our modest efforts in your behalf instead of prancing down stairs to head us off?” inquired Phyllis in pretended disgust.
