used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading And ever against eating cares, Lap me in soft Lydian airs."
airsnounUS /erz/
affected manners intended to impress others
From this reading And ever against eating cares, Lap me in soft Lydian airs."
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And ever against eating cares, Lap me in soft Lydian airs."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
earlier than; in front of
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
cause to be bored
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/
inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
caresnounUS /kerz/
plural of “care” — the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading And ever against eating cares, Lap me in soft Lydian airs."
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Oh! pray, Henry, do tell me what I am to put on; for I protest I don't know.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh! pray, Henry, do tell me what I am to put on; for I protest I don't know.
DouglasnounUS /ˈdʌɡləs/
United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
the act of consuming food
From this reading And ever against eating cares, Lap me in soft Lydian airs."
at any time
From this reading And ever against eating cares, Lap me in soft Lydian airs."
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Oh! pray, Henry, do tell me what I am to put on; for I protest I don't know.
set up or found
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading Oh! pray, Henry, do tell me what I am to put on; for I protest I don't know.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And ever against eating cares, Lap me in soft Lydian airs."
inflamedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈfleɪmd/
resulting from inflammation; hot and swollen and reddened
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
kissingnounUS /ˈkɪsɪŋ/
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Oh! pray, Henry, do tell me what I am to put on; for I protest I don't know.
L'Allegro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
LapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading And ever against eating cares, Lap me in soft Lydian airs."
leantverbUS /ˈliːənt/
inflected form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
Lydiannoun
an Anatolian language
From this reading And ever against eating cares, Lap me in soft Lydian airs."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And ever against eating cares, Lap me in soft Lydian airs."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh! pray, Henry, do tell me what I am to put on; for I protest I don't know.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
petsnounUS /pets/
plural of “pet” — a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading Oh! pray, Henry, do tell me what I am to put on; for I protest I don't know.
protestnounUS /ˈproʊtest/
a formal and solemn declaration of objection
From this reading Oh! pray, Henry, do tell me what I am to put on; for I protest I don't know.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Oh! pray, Henry, do tell me what I am to put on; for I protest I don't know.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
shockingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːkɪŋ/
glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading And ever against eating cares, Lap me in soft Lydian airs."
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
squirrelnounUS /ˈskwɜːrəl/
a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
not in physical motion
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
strewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
carry out
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
express in words
From this reading Oh! pray, Henry, do tell me what I am to put on; for I protest I don't know.
testimonynounUS /ˈtestəmoʊni/
a solemn statement made under oath
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
a source of difficulty
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
unpackingverbUS /ənˈpækɪŋ/
-ing form of “unpack” — remove from its packing
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Oh! pray, Henry, do tell me what I am to put on; for I protest I don't know.
at the time that
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
belonging to which person
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
wrappernounUS /ˈræpər/
a loose dressing gown for women
From this reading _L'Allegro._ WHEN Douglas returned he found the floor strewed with dresses of every description, his sisters on their knees before a great trunk they were busied in unpacking, and his Lady in her wrapper, with her hair about her ears, still amusing herself with her pets.
yawningadjectiveUS /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
From this reading "I declare I am quite sorry to see them take so much trouble," yawning as she leant back in her chair; "is it not quite shocking, Tommy? 'kissing her squirrel.'
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "See how good your sisters are," said she, pointing to the poor girls, whose inflamed faces bore testimony to their labours.
