used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
(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 Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
Betty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
chattingverbUS /ˈtʃætɪŋ/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
CrumpverbUS /krʌmp/
make a noise typical of an engine lacking lubricants
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
elmnounUS /elm/
any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
entrancingadjective
capturing interest as if by a spell
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
Fairfax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
a social unit living together
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
farmer'snounUS /ˈfɑːrmərz/
possessive form of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
farmhousenounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊs/
house for a farmer and family
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
haynounUS /heɪ/
grass mowed and cured for use as fodder
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
Haymakingnoun
taking full advantage of an opportunity while it lasts
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
and nothing more
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
kissingnounUS /ˈkɪsɪŋ/
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
Nesta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
and nothing more
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
rompnounUS /rɑːmp/
an easy victory
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
separatingverbUS /ˈsepəreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “separate” — act as a barrier between; stand between
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
shadyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdi/
quiet, dark, or concealed
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
an instance of visual perception
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
StuartsnounUS /ˈstuːərts/
plural of “stuart” — United States painter best known for his portraits of George Washington (1755-1828)
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
waggonnoun
any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Haymaking It was only a few days after this that nurse took all the children to tea at an old farmhouse about two miles off.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
(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 She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They rode part of the way in a farm waggon, and were all in the best of spirits, for it was haymaking time,--a time of entrancing joy to all children, and to the little Stuarts a new and delightful experience.
at the time that
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
which person or people
From this reading They had tea out in one of the fields under a shady elm, and were just separating after it was over to have one more romp in the hay, when, to Betty's intense surprise, who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax!
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading She evidently knew Mrs. Crump, the farmer's wife, well, for she sat down and began chatting away about all her family, and then she caught sight of Betty.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'Why, it's my little friend!' she said, stooping down and kissing her; 'and are these your brothers and sisters?'
