used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
atom's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in the atom's voice nothing but a statement of her wishes.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
bunchnounUS /bʌntʃ/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
a young person of either sex
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
detainedverbUS /dɪˈteɪnd/
past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
dismissalnounUS /dɪˈsmɪsəl/
a judgment disposing of the matter without a trial
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading "Jock mustn't disturb Nancy now," she said; "Nancy's making verses."
exuberantadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzuːbərənt/
joyously unrestrained
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
home-coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
huddledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌdəld/
crowded or massed together
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
JocknounUS /dʒɑːk/
a person trained to compete in sports
From this reading "Jock mustn't disturb Nancy now," she said; "Nancy's making verses."
lee-lane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
lovableadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvəbəl/
having characteristics that attract love or affection
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
engage in
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading "Jock mustn't disturb Nancy now," she said; "Nancy's making verses."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
mustn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Jock mustn't disturb Nancy now," she said; "Nancy's making verses."
NancynounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
Nancy'snounUS /ˈnænsiz/
possessive form of “nancy” — a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading "Jock mustn't disturb Nancy now," she said; "Nancy's making verses."
NearingverbUS /ˈnɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “near” — move towards
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was in the atom's voice nothing but a statement of her wishes.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Jock mustn't disturb Nancy now," she said; "Nancy's making verses."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
quaintadjectiveUS /kweɪnt/
strange in an interesting or pleasing way
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Jock mustn't disturb Nancy now," she said; "Nancy's making verses."
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading There was in the atom's voice nothing but a statement of her wishes.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
touchableadjectiveUS /ˈtʌtʃəbəl/
perceptible by the senses especially the sense of touch
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
versesnounUS /ˈvɜːrsəz/
plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form
From this reading "Jock mustn't disturb Nancy now," she said; "Nancy's making verses."
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There was in the atom's voice nothing but a statement of her wishes.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
nonexistent
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
accept gladly
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
(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 I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
in or at the place that
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I looked for the exuberant welcome which I had always received, but it was wanting; and as I stood waiting some greeting from her, she made a quaint gesture of dismissal to me:
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading There was in the atom's voice nothing but a statement of her wishes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nearing the house I discovered Nancy huddled in a little bunch, sitting by her lee-lane in a spot of sunshine on the west steps--such a lovable, touchable little bundle as she sat there, with her chin in her hand.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A STRANGE CHILD Several days after this strange home-coming some business called me to the far woods, where I was detained until the afternoon sun was well on its way behind the hills.
