used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During the following weeks, Mary was a very, very busy little girl.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
bathnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
brushedadjectiveUS /brʌʃt/
touched lightly in passing; grazed against
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading During the following weeks, Mary was a very, very busy little girl.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
combedadjectiveUS /koʊmd/
(of hair) made tidy with a comb
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
dollsnounUS /dɑːlz/
plural of “doll” — a small replica of a person; used as a toy
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the following weeks, Mary was a very, very busy little girl.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading During the following weeks, Mary was a very, very busy little girl.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
a young female
From this reading During the following weeks, Mary was a very, very busy little girl.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
ironingnounUS /ˈaɪərnɪŋ/
garments (clothes or linens) that are to be (or have been) ironed
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
lace-trimmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
immediately past
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
laundressnoun
a working woman who takes in washing
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading During the following weeks, Mary was a very, very busy little girl.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading During the following weeks, Mary was a very, very busy little girl.
MARY'SnounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading MARY'S PLAN.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
nailverbUS /neɪl/
attach something somewhere by means of nails
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading MARY'S PLAN.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
rufflesnounUS /ˈrʌfəlz/
plural of “ruffle” — a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
scrubbedadjectiveUS /skrʌbd/
made clean by scrubbing
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
SnowballnounUS /ˈsnoʊbɔːl/
plant having heads of fragrant white trumpet-shaped flowers; grows in sandy arid regions
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
sudsnounUS /sʌdz/
the froth produced by soaps or detergents
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the following weeks, Mary was a very, very busy little girl.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
tucksnounUS /tʌks/
plural of “tuck” — eatables (especially sweets)
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
on a floor above
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
precisely as stated
From this reading During the following weeks, Mary was a very, very busy little girl.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During the following weeks, Mary was a very, very busy little girl.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading During the following weeks, Mary was a very, very busy little girl.
(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 The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
at the time that
From this reading She had a wash day on the back porch when the suds flew in every direction, and Snowball fled upstairs to escape a bath not meant for her.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The dolls themselves had their smiling faces well scrubbed with the nail brush, and their curls combed and brushed, after which they were dressed in their Sunday best and carefully laid in the big oak box which had been made for this purpose.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The ironing was not so easy; but with help from the laundress on tucks and lace-trimmed ruffles, it was at last finished.
