used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Josie had determined to clean up in the kitchen and pantry first and then proceed to the other corners of the house.
anybody's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
arch-villain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Josie was bent upon getting to the bottom of dirt as well as the mystery of what Chester Hunt was up to.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Josie was bent upon getting to the bottom of dirt as well as the mystery of what Chester Hunt was up to.
BROOMnounUS /bruːm/
a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
chaosnounUS /ˈkeɪɑːs/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
ChesternounUS /ˈtʃestər/
a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)
From this reading Josie was bent upon getting to the bottom of dirt as well as the mystery of what Chester Hunt was up to.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Josie had determined to clean up in the kitchen and pantry first and then proceed to the other corners of the house.
characterized by great determination
From this reading Josie had determined to clean up in the kitchen and pantry first and then proceed to the other corners of the house.
dirtnounUS /dɜːrt/
the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
endeavoredverbUS /ɪnˈdevərd/
past form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
divisible by two
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Josie had determined to clean up in the kitchen and pantry first and then proceed to the other corners of the house.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Josie was bent upon getting to the bottom of dirt as well as the mystery of what Chester Hunt was up to.
grainnounUS /ɡreɪn/
a relatively small granular particle of a substance
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
greasenounUS /ɡriːs/
a thick fatty oil (especially one used to lubricate machinery)
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Josie had determined to clean up in the kitchen and pantry first and then proceed to the other corners of the house.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
heritagenounUS /ˈherətədʒ/
practices that are handed down from the past by tradition
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Josie had determined to clean up in the kitchen and pantry first and then proceed to the other corners of the house.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
From this reading Josie was bent upon getting to the bottom of dirt as well as the mystery of what Chester Hunt was up to.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
incompetentnounUS /ˌɪnˈkɑːmpətənt/
someone who is not competent to take effective action
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
innatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈneɪtli/
in an innate manner
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
Josie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
layersnounUS /ˈleɪərz/
plural of “layer” — single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
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 The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
musedverbUS /mjuːzd/
past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Josie was bent upon getting to the bottom of dirt as well as the mystery of what Chester Hunt was up to.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Josie had determined to clean up in the kitchen and pantry first and then proceed to the other corners of the house.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
pantrynounUS /ˈpæntri/
a small storeroom for storing foods or wines
From this reading Josie had determined to clean up in the kitchen and pantry first and then proceed to the other corners of the house.
a human being
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
continue talking
From this reading Josie had determined to clean up in the kitchen and pantry first and then proceed to the other corners of the house.
pryverbUS /praɪ/
to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
sorelyadverbUS /ˈsɔːrli/
to a great degree
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
SWEEPSnounUS /swiːps/
plural of “sweep” — a wide scope
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Josie had determined to clean up in the kitchen and pantry first and then proceed to the other corners of the house.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Josie had determined to clean up in the kitchen and pantry first and then proceed to the other corners of the house.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Josie was bent upon getting to the bottom of dirt as well as the mystery of what Chester Hunt was up to.
WallernounUS /ˈwɔːlər/
United States jazz musician (1904-1943)
From this reading The succession of incompetent servants that had been employed by the present master of the old Waller house had left layers of dirt and grease, each according to to her lights.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Josie was bent upon getting to the bottom of dirt as well as the mystery of what Chester Hunt was up to.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Josie was bent upon getting to the bottom of dirt as well as the mystery of what Chester Hunt was up to.
which person or people
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading "He is so handsome I don't see how he can be really wicked," she mused as she endeavored to get order out of the chaos that reigned in the kitchen.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN Being an innately honest person it went sorely against the grain with Josie to pry into anybody's private mail, even though he be an arch-villain who was doing his best to keep two poor little children out of their heritage.
