used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Peter had been swashing water about with a liberal hand, and the carriage-house floor was damp.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
move towards
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHOR OF DADDY LONG-LEGS, DEAR ENEMY, ETC.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Peter had been swashing water about with a liberal hand, and the carriage-house floor was damp.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
the two together, not just one
From this reading She gathered up her skirts in both hands and gingerly stepped inside.
carriage-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
Carter'snounUS /ˈkɑːrtərz/
possessive form of “carter” — Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
chamois-skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
controversynounUS /ˈkɑːntrəvɜːrsi/
a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
DADDYnounUS /ˈdædi/
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading AUTHOR OF DADDY LONG-LEGS, DEAR ENEMY, ETC.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading Peter had been swashing water about with a liberal hand, and the carriage-house floor was damp.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
dearly loved
From this reading AUTHOR OF DADDY LONG-LEGS, DEAR ENEMY, ETC.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
an opposing military force
From this reading AUTHOR OF DADDY LONG-LEGS, DEAR ENEMY, ETC.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF DADDY LONG-LEGS, DEAR ENEMY, ETC.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Peter had been swashing water about with a liberal hand, and the carriage-house floor was damp.
brought together in one place
From this reading She gathered up her skirts in both hands and gingerly stepped inside.
gingerlyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɪndʒərli/
with extreme care or delicacy
From this reading She gathered up her skirts in both hands and gingerly stepped inside.
groomsnounUS /ɡruːmz/
plural of “groom” — a man participant in his own marriage ceremony
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Peter had been swashing water about with a liberal hand, and the carriage-house floor was damp.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Peter had been swashing water about with a liberal hand, and the carriage-house floor was damp.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading She gathered up her skirts in both hands and gingerly stepped inside.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading She gathered up her skirts in both hands and gingerly stepped inside.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
liberaladjectiveUS /ˈlɪbɜːrəl/
showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
From this reading Peter had been swashing water about with a liberal hand, and the carriage-house floor was damp.
LONG-LEGSnoun
long-legged three-toed black-and-white wading bird of inland ponds and marshes or brackish lagoons
From this reading AUTHOR OF DADDY LONG-LEGS, DEAR ENEMY, ETC.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
musicaladjectiveUS /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/
characterized by or capable of producing music
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AUTHOR OF DADDY LONG-LEGS, DEAR ENEMY, ETC.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
phaetonnoun
large open car seating four with folding top
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
polishingnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃɪŋ/
the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
rubbersnounUS /ˈrʌbərz/
plural of “rubber” — an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She gathered up her skirts in both hands and gingerly stepped inside.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading She gathered up her skirts in both hands and gingerly stepped inside.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading She gathered up her skirts in both hands and gingerly stepped inside.
swashing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter had been swashing water about with a liberal hand, and the carriage-house floor was damp.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She gathered up her skirts in both hands and gingerly stepped inside.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading So intent were they upon this musical controversy that they were not aware of Mrs. Carter's approach until her shadow darkened the carriage-house doorway.
the topmost one of two
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Peter had been swashing water about with a liberal hand, and the carriage-house floor was damp.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Peter had been swashing water about with a liberal hand, and the carriage-house floor was damp.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
whistlingnounUS /ˈwɪslɪŋ/
the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
Willowbrook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Made in the United States of America Peter and Billy, the two upper grooms at Willowbrook, were polishing the sides of the tall mail phaeton with chamois-skin rubbers and whistling, each a different tune, as they worked.
