used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
better-lookingadjective
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
at any time
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
opinion or judgment
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading THE SHADOW FALLS.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
a quick look
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
hemsnounUS /hemz/
plural of “hem” — the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
Mandy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
Maryvale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
many times at short intervals
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
robinsnounUS /ˈrɑːbənz/
plural of “robin” — small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
s'pose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
Selwyn's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE SHADOW FALLS.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
be seated
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
sparrowsnounUS /ˈsperoʊz/
plural of “sparrow” — any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHADOW FALLS.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
thrushesnounUS /ˈθrʌʃəz/
plural of “thrush” — candidiasis of the oral cavity; seen mostly in infants or debilitated adults
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
tucksnounUS /tʌks/
plural of “tuck” — eatables (especially sweets)
From this reading "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
twinnies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
precisely as stated
From this reading Surely, the little bird _must_ have been at Maryvale that day, and Mary thought it very strange that she had not caught a glimpse of it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
(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 "Well, I have not seen Mother letting out any tucks or hems in their dresses; but," and Mr. Selwyn's eyes danced, "I must admit that they are somewhat better-looking."
at the time that
From this reading "I s'pose the twinnies have grown ever so much, Father," she remarked one evening when she was able to sit up in a big arm chair.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She had seen some sparrows, robins, and thrushes; but she was quite sure that the particular little bird of which Aunt Mandy had so often spoken was different from any of these.
