Chapter X · Chapter 10

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

plural of “ailment” — an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading 'I am sure there is a dog in the room!' she exclaimed.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At length she gave a little start and scream.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

a person who is in charge

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

plural of “complaint” — an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

dearly loved

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading 'I am sure there is a dog in the room!' she exclaimed.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading 'I am sure there is a dog in the room!' she exclaimed.

opinion or judgment

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading At length she gave a little start and scream.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading 'I am sure there is a dog in the room!' she exclaimed.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading 'I am sure there is a dog in the room!' she exclaimed.

cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading 'I am sure there is a dog in the room!' she exclaimed.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading At length she gave a little start and scream.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

a person who carries a message

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

used to form the superlative

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

many times at short intervals

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

on one occasion

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

and nothing more

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading 'I am sure there is a dog in the room!' she exclaimed.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading At length she gave a little start and scream.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

third-person singular of “sit” — be seated

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading At length she gave a little start and scream.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading 'I am sure there is a dog in the room!' she exclaimed.

full of trivial conversation

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

in or at that place or location

From this reading 'I am sure there is a dog in the room!' she exclaimed.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'

plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

plural of “wait” — time during which some action is awaited

From this reading 'It's my dog,' said Betty at once; 'it's only Prince; he always sits under my chair; he's such a dear, he waits as quiet as a mouse.'

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading A Little Messenger Miss Fairfax seemed the most talkative, but her conversation was a perpetual flow of complaints; the food, the weather, and her ailments were her chief topics, and Betty's round eyes of amazement, as she sat opposite, served to irritate her more.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading 'How often I have told you, Jennings' (this to the butler), 'to keep the dogs out of our rooms!'