used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
BIRTHDAYnounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
demanding attention
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
dollnounUS /dɑːl/
a small replica of a person; used as a toy
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
usually; as a rule
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
the act of departing
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading They were such happy little people, that there was nothing sad to tell you.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
and nothing more
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They were such happy little people, that there was nothing sad to tell you.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
Milly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
MILLY'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading They were such happy little people, that there was nothing sad to tell you.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
Olly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading They were such happy little people, that there was nothing sad to tell you.
by chance
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
Ravensnest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
To recall to mind.
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
in the near future
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
stickied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading They were such happy little people, that there was nothing sad to tell you.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
express in words
From this reading They were such happy little people, that there was nothing sad to tell you.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were such happy little people, that there was nothing sad to tell you.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They were such happy little people, that there was nothing sad to tell you.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were such happy little people, that there was nothing sad to tell you.
a special situation
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
up to a particular time
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
a source of difficulty
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
precisely as stated
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were such happy little people, that there was nothing sad to tell you.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were such happy little people, that there was nothing sad to tell you.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
at the time that
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading MILLY'S BIRTHDAY Now we have come to a chapter which is going to be half merry and half sad.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading They cried sometimes, of course--you remember Milly cried when Olly stickied her doll--but generally, by the time they had dried up their tears they had quite forgotten what they were crying about; and as for any real trouble, why they didn't know what it could possibly be like.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I have not told you any sad things about Milly and Olly up till now, I think.
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now, just as they were going away from Ravensnest, came a real sad thing, and you'll hear very soon how it happened.
