used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Here I am, all but ready to start, an' I have to get her new clothes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
asparagusnounUS /əˈsperəɡəs/
plant whose succulent young shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
clothing in general
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
disgustedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡʌstəd/
having a strong distaste from surfeit
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
Donovan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
Ella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Here I am, all but ready to start, an' I have to get her new clothes.
a young female
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
grandmothernounUS /ˈɡrændmʌðər/
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Here I am, all but ready to start, an' I have to get her new clothes.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here I am, all but ready to start, an' I have to get her new clothes.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
and nothing more
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
Larry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
lengthenedadjectiveUS /ˈleŋθənd/
drawn out or made longer spatially
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
lengtheningnounUS /ˈleŋθənɪŋ/
the act of prolonging something
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
engage in
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
MurphynounUS /ˈmɜːrfi/
an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
absolutely essential
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
outfitnounUS /ˈaʊtfɪt/
any cohesive unit such as a military company
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
outgrownverbUS /ˌaʊtˈɡroʊn/
inflected form of “outgrow” — grow too large or too mature for
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
outragedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtreɪdʒd/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
petticoatsnounUS /ˈpetikoʊts/
plural of “petticoat” — undergarment worn under a skirt
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Here I am, all but ready to start, an' I have to get her new clothes.
resentfullyadverb
with resentment; in a resentful manner
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
cut with a saw
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
sergenounUS /sɜːrdʒ/
a twilled woolen fabric
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Here I am, all but ready to start, an' I have to get her new clothes.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
tulipsnounUS /ˈtuːləps/
plural of “tulip” — any of numerous perennial bulbous herbs having linear or broadly lanceolate leaves and usually a single showy flower
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ella had astonished and disgusted her mother by lengthening herself, in a single night, it seemed to the outraged Mrs. Murphy, to such an extent that a new outfit was necessary.
(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 "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
at the time that
From this reading When Larry Donovan saw his niece she had changed her shabby boy's suit of blue serge for the clothes that Ella Murphy had outgrown.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "I just wish the Power that lengthened her had to find her dresses and petticoats and things to make her decent to go to the grandmother that's never seen her.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading "It may be well enough for asparagus and tulips to grow like that, but it's all wrong for a girl," she had said resentfully.
