Chapter VIII · Romps and Rhymes

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

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

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

From this reading “Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading “Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.

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

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

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

From this reading “Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.

subject to appointment

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

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

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

surprising greatly

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

kill (animals) usually for food consumption

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

someone who provides food and service (as for a party)

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

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

From this reading FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.

a specialized division of a large organization

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”

From this reading FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.

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

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

divisible by two

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

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

From this reading “Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

having an easygoing and cheerful disposition

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

a retail merchant who sells foodstuffs (and some household supplies)

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut

From this reading “Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.

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

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

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

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

very generous

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

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 FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

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

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.

plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations

From this reading “Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.

(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

From this reading “Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.

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

From this reading “Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.

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

From this reading FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.

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

From this reading FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

the act of using

From this reading The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company.

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

From this reading FOR the next few days the children were left to their own devices.