used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
be in accord; be in agreement
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
(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 ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
awnnoun
slender bristlelike appendage found on the bracts of grasses
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
behaviournounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
From this reading She was tired, she informed Miss Gregson; and they had utterly disappointed her by their rude and ungrateful behaviour.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was tired, she informed Miss Gregson; and they had utterly disappointed her by their rude and ungrateful behaviour.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading She was tired, she informed Miss Gregson; and they had utterly disappointed her by their rude and ungrateful behaviour.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
apart from; not including
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
gamesnounUS /ɡeɪmz/
plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
Gregson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Sheila took now but small notice of her young guests.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
horrorsnounUS /ˈhɔːrərz/
plural of “horror” — intense and profound fear
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
having much knowledge or education
From this reading She was tired, she informed Miss Gregson; and they had utterly disappointed her by their rude and ungrateful behaviour.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
lambsnounUS /læmz/
plural of “lamb” — young sheep
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
immediately past
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
held dear
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Sheila took now but small notice of her young guests.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Sheila took now but small notice of her young guests.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading She was tired, she informed Miss Gregson; and they had utterly disappointed her by their rude and ungrateful behaviour.
cut with a saw
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
the act of searching for something
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
Sheila
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
SHEILA'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
ShepherdnounUS /ˈʃepərd/
a clergyman who watches over a group of people
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Sheila took now but small notice of her young guests.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
SURPRISESnounUS /sərˈpraɪzɪz/
plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
express in words
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading She was tired, she informed Miss Gregson; and they had utterly disappointed her by their rude and ungrateful behaviour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Sheila took now but small notice of her young guests.
ungratefuladjectiveUS /ənˈɡreɪtfəl/
not feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading She was tired, she informed Miss Gregson; and they had utterly disappointed her by their rude and ungrateful behaviour.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading She was tired, she informed Miss Gregson; and they had utterly disappointed her by their rude and ungrateful behaviour.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
which person or people
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Sheila took now but small notice of her young guests.
