used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading “Ha! the early bird catches the flowers!” called Mrs. James, as she ran across the grass and joined Norma at the garden.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN AUTOMOBILE IS DONATED.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
any person at all
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
astiradjective
out of bed
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
AUTOMOBILEnounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːl/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading AN AUTOMOBILE IS DONATED.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading “Ha! the early bird catches the flowers!” called Mrs. James, as she ran across the grass and joined Norma at the garden.
bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “Ha! the early bird catches the flowers!” called Mrs. James, as she ran across the grass and joined Norma at the garden.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
catchesnounUS /ˈkætʃəz/
plural of “catch” — a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
From this reading “Ha! the early bird catches the flowers!” called Mrs. James, as she ran across the grass and joined Norma at the garden.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
chickennounUS /ˈtʃɪkən/
the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
coal-shovel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
diggingnounUS /ˈdɪɡɪŋ/
the act of digging
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
DONATEDverbUS /ˈdoʊneɪtɪd/
past form of “donate” — give to a charity or good cause
From this reading AN AUTOMOBILE IS DONATED.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading “Ha! the early bird catches the flowers!” called Mrs. James, as she ran across the grass and joined Norma at the garden.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading “Ha! the early bird catches the flowers!” called Mrs. James, as she ran across the grass and joined Norma at the garden.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading “Ha! the early bird catches the flowers!” called Mrs. James, as she ran across the grass and joined Norma at the garden.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading “Ha! the early bird catches the flowers!” called Mrs. James, as she ran across the grass and joined Norma at the garden.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
(astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day
From this reading “Ha! the early bird catches the flowers!” called Mrs. James, as she ran across the grass and joined Norma at the garden.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN AUTOMOBILE IS DONATED.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading “Ha! the early bird catches the flowers!” called Mrs. James, as she ran across the grass and joined Norma at the garden.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
NormanounUS /ˈnɔːrmə/
a small constellation in the southern hemisphere near Lupus and Ara in the Milky Way
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
pinksnounUS /pɪŋks/
plural of “pink” — a light shade of red
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
plantedadjectiveUS /ˈplæntɪd/
(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
plantingnounUS /ˈplæntɪŋ/
the act of fixing firmly in place
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
plantsnounUS /plænts/
plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading “Ha! the early bird catches the flowers!” called Mrs. James, as she ran across the grass and joined Norma at the garden.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
cut with a saw
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
Tompkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Norma left the basket of plants in the cool cellar for the night, but she was up in the morning before anyone was astir in the house, in order to get the plants in the ground before the sun rose high.
at the time that
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
williamsnounUS /ˈwɪljəmz/
United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading She was busily engaged in digging holes with a kitchen coal-shovel and planting the roots carefully as Mrs. Tompkins had shown her when Mrs. James came out and saw her at work.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “I planted the young sweet williams and the chicken feet, and the pinks, all along that border, you see,” said Norma.
