used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Jack ran off in high glee, for sister Mary's stories were always welcomed by the children.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The little upturned face was well kissed before sister Mary said, "Well, Jack, call Nannie and Belle, and we'll have a story."
BellenounUS /bel/
a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals
From this reading The little upturned face was well kissed before sister Mary said, "Well, Jack, call Nannie and Belle, and we'll have a story."
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Nannie and Belle came as fast as their feet would bring them, and were soon sitting in readiness on the porch steps.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The little upturned face was well kissed before sister Mary said, "Well, Jack, call Nannie and Belle, and we'll have a story."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
Charlie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Jack ran off in high glee, for sister Mary's stories were always welcomed by the children.
coaxinglyadverb
in a cajoling manner
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
curlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrli/
(of hair) having curls or waves
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Nannie and Belle came as fast as their feet would bring them, and were soon sitting in readiness on the porch steps.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Nannie and Belle came as fast as their feet would bring them, and were soon sitting in readiness on the porch steps.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Jack ran off in high glee, for sister Mary's stories were always welcomed by the children.
gleenounUS /ɡliː/
great merriment
From this reading Jack ran off in high glee, for sister Mary's stories were always welcomed by the children.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The little upturned face was well kissed before sister Mary said, "Well, Jack, call Nannie and Belle, and we'll have a story."
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Jack ran off in high glee, for sister Mary's stories were always welcomed by the children.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
a small worthless amount
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading The little upturned face was well kissed before sister Mary said, "Well, Jack, call Nannie and Belle, and we'll have a story."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
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 Jack ran off in high glee, for sister Mary's stories were always welcomed by the children.
Nannie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little upturned face was well kissed before sister Mary said, "Well, Jack, call Nannie and Belle, and we'll have a story."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Jack ran off in high glee, for sister Mary's stories were always welcomed by the children.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Jack ran off in high glee, for sister Mary's stories were always welcomed by the children.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading Nannie and Belle came as fast as their feet would bring them, and were soon sitting in readiness on the porch steps.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Nannie and Belle came as fast as their feet would bring them, and were soon sitting in readiness on the porch steps.
sofanounUS /ˈsoʊfə/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
in the near future
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Nannie and Belle came as fast as their feet would bring them, and were soon sitting in readiness on the porch steps.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Jack ran off in high glee, for sister Mary's stories were always welcomed by the children.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE STORY.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
express in words
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STORY.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Nannie and Belle came as fast as their feet would bring them, and were soon sitting in readiness on the porch steps.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Nannie and Belle came as fast as their feet would bring them, and were soon sitting in readiness on the porch steps.
upturnedadjective
having been turned so that the bottom is no longer the bottom
From this reading The little upturned face was well kissed before sister Mary said, "Well, Jack, call Nannie and Belle, and we'll have a story."
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One Sunday afternoon, as Mary sat reading in the porch, Jack and Charlie came and sat down by her on the old sofa; and soon Charlie put his little curly head between her face and the book, and said coaxingly, "Please tell us a story, sister Mary."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The little upturned face was well kissed before sister Mary said, "Well, Jack, call Nannie and Belle, and we'll have a story."
we'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little upturned face was well kissed before sister Mary said, "Well, Jack, call Nannie and Belle, and we'll have a story."
welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/
past form of “welcome” — accept gladly
From this reading Jack ran off in high glee, for sister Mary's stories were always welcomed by the children.
(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 little upturned face was well kissed before sister Mary said, "Well, Jack, call Nannie and Belle, and we'll have a story."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Jack ran off in high glee, for sister Mary's stories were always welcomed by the children.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Nannie and Belle came as fast as their feet would bring them, and were soon sitting in readiness on the porch steps.
