used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading I’m awful sorry I licked the crippler and--by jingo!
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading “I was a dreadful bad boy, last night!
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
a youthful male person
From this reading “I was a dreadful bad boy, last night!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I’m awful sorry I licked the crippler and--by jingo!
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
cheerfulnessnounUS /ˈtʃɪrfəlnəs/
the quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
rid of obstructions
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
crippler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I’m awful sorry I licked the crippler and--by jingo!
darkenverbUS /ˈdɑːrkən/
become dark or darker
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading “I was a dreadful bad boy, last night!
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
opinion or judgment
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
your parents
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
set up or found
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
Fritz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I was a dreadful bad boy, last night!
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I’m awful sorry I licked the crippler and--by jingo!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
insureverbUS /ˌɪnˈʃʊr/
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
jingonoun
an extreme bellicose nationalist
From this reading I’m awful sorry I licked the crippler and--by jingo!
juniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
lad's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
immediately past
From this reading “I was a dreadful bad boy, last night!
lickedadjectiveUS /lɪkt/
having been got the better of
From this reading I’m awful sorry I licked the crippler and--by jingo!
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
napnounUS /næp/
a period of time spent sleeping
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading “I was a dreadful bad boy, last night!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
only a very short time before
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading I’m awful sorry I licked the crippler and--by jingo!
soundlyadverbUS /ˈsaʊndli/
deeply or completely
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
the rays of the sun
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
undisturbedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈstɜːrbd/
untroubled by interference or disturbance
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading Fritz, junior, slept soundly; but he had a child’s fashion of waking early.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
at the time that
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading He was perfectly wide awake on the instant, and the cheerfulness of the sunlight was scarcely greater than the clear light of the lad’s own happy nature.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading When he found the sunlight shining into his eyes through the window which, being unaccustomed to care for young folks, Aunt Ruth had forgotten to darken,--and thus insure her own undisturbed morning nap,--he sat up in bed and looked about him.
