used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Heavens, what a mess!” cried Gertrude.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Yes, but we are not ready for callers,” said Elizabeth rudely.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Yes, but we are not ready for callers,” said Elizabeth rudely.
callersnounUS /ˈkɔːlərz/
plural of “caller” — a social or business visitor
From this reading “Yes, but we are not ready for callers,” said Elizabeth rudely.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
chaosnounUS /ˈkeɪɑːs/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Heavens, what a mess!” cried Gertrude.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading “Yes, but we are not ready for callers,” said Elizabeth rudely.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
a social unit living together
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Yes, but we are not ready for callers,” said Elizabeth rudely.
Gertrude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Heavens, what a mess!” cried Gertrude.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
globenounUS /ɡloʊb/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading “Heavens, what a mess!” cried Gertrude.
HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDYadjective
in utter disorder
From this reading THE HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY SHOP It was well named!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY SHOP It was well named!
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading “Heavens, what a mess!” cried Gertrude.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading THE HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY SHOP It was well named!
not any; not one
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Yes, but we are not ready for callers,” said Elizabeth rudely.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading “Yes, but we are not ready for callers,” said Elizabeth rudely.
rudelyadverbUS /ˈruːdli/
in an impolite manner
From this reading “Yes, but we are not ready for callers,” said Elizabeth rudely.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Yes, but we are not ready for callers,” said Elizabeth rudely.
do one's shopping
From this reading THE HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY SHOP It was well named!
shopkeepersnounUS /ˈʃɑːpkiːpərz/
plural of “shopkeeper” — a merchant who owns or manages a shop
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY SHOP It was well named!
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
topsy-turvyadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːpsiˈtɜːrvi/
in utter disorder
From this reading If higgledy-piggledy meant topsy-turvy I am sure there was no place on the globe so suited to that name.
hard to endure
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY SHOP It was well named!
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Yes, but we are not ready for callers,” said Elizabeth rudely.
(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 THE HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY SHOP It was well named!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Heavens, what a mess!” cried Gertrude.
at the time that
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
would-beadjective
unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
WrightnounUS /raɪt/
United States writer of detective novels (1888-1939)
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes, but we are not ready for callers,” said Elizabeth rudely.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Our young would-be shopkeepers were busily engaged trying to get order out of chaos when the Wright family came bursting in on them.
