used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
Abbott
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
accompanyverbUS /əˈkʌmpəni/
be present or associated with an event or entity
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
(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 I want everything to be all right for you, but, oh, how I do want brother Dan to get well."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
a youthful male person
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
eat an early morning meal
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
lacking funds
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading I want everything to be all right for you, but, oh, how I do want brother Dan to get well."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
DadnounUS /dæd/
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I want everything to be all right for you, but, oh, how I do want brother Dan to get well."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
in a serious manner
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
endeavoringverbUS /ɪnˈdevərɪŋ/
-ing form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
all things; all of a situation
From this reading I want everything to be all right for you, but, oh, how I do want brother Dan to get well."
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
fulfilledadjectiveUS /fʊlˈfɪld/
completed to perfection
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
Gerald's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading I want everything to be all right for you, but, oh, how I do want brother Dan to get well."
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I want everything to be all right for you, but, oh, how I do want brother Dan to get well."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
Julie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
a boy or man
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
for more time
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
not any; not one
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading I want everything to be all right for you, but, oh, how I do want brother Dan to get well."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
prophecied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
precisely, exactly
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
cut with a saw
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
a male human offspring
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
be standing; be upright
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
they're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
hard to endure
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The lad hesitated, then he said earnestly: "There's two things to wish for, Dad, and they're both awful big.
unboundedadjectiveUS /ənˈbaʊndɪd/
seemingly boundless in amount, number, degree, or especially extent
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading I want everything to be all right for you, but, oh, how I do want brother Dan to get well."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
waveredverbUS /ˈweɪvərd/
past form of “waver” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
(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 I want everything to be all right for you, but, oh, how I do want brother Dan to get well."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
at the time that
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She told him before breakfast while they were waiting for the others to come down.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
hope for; have a wish
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Grandmother Abbott had indeed been right when she prophecied that Gerald's joy, upon hearing that he could accompany Dan and his sister Julie, would be unbounded.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading They had planned telling him later, but when his father saw how hard the small boy was trying to be brave; how the tune he was endeavoring to whistle wavered and broke, he could stand it no longer, and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, he looked down at him as he asked: "Son, if you could have your dearest wish fulfilled, what would it be?"
