used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Matilda took it so, and got ready for breakfast with a heart leaping with delight.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
(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 She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next day rose very bright and fair.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
aunt'snounUS /ænts/
possessive form of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Matilda took it so, and got ready for breakfast with a heart leaping with delight.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The next day rose very bright and fair.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
CandynounUS /ˈkændi/
a rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
Candy'snounUS /ˈkændiz/
possessive form of “candy” — a rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day rose very bright and fair.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Matilda took it so, and got ready for breakfast with a heart leaping with delight.
put on clothes
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
emptieradjectiveUS /ˈemptiər/
comparative of “empty” — holding or containing nothing
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading The next day rose very bright and fair.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Matilda took it so, and got ready for breakfast with a heart leaping with delight.
ginghamnounUS /ˈɡɪŋəm/
a clothing fabric in a plaid weave
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
the act of departing
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Matilda took it so, and got ready for breakfast with a heart leaping with delight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Matilda took it so, and got ready for breakfast with a heart leaping with delight.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
leapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading Matilda took it so, and got ready for breakfast with a heart leaping with delight.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
a female domestic
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
mendingnounUS /ˈmendɪŋ/
garments that must be repaired
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
information about recent and important events
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day rose very bright and fair.
not any; not one
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
prospectsnounUS /ˈprɑːspekts/
plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Matilda took it so, and got ready for breakfast with a heart leaping with delight.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The next day rose very bright and fair.
in an unfortunate way
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
slylyadverbUS /ˈslaɪli/
in an artful manner
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Matilda took it so, and got ready for breakfast with a heart leaping with delight.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next day rose very bright and fair.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Matilda took it so, and got ready for breakfast with a heart leaping with delight.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
precisely as stated
From this reading The next day rose very bright and fair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
at the time that
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
in or at the place that
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Matilda took it so, and got ready for breakfast with a heart leaping with delight.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Things were in this state, and Matilda mending lace in her aunt's room; when Mrs. Candy's maid of all work put her head in.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Matilda had been sadly afraid it would rain; but no such matter; the sun looked and smiled over the world as if slyly wishing her joy on her good prospects.
but in spite of that
From this reading She had got no more news yet as to where she was going; but after breakfast Mrs. Candy made her dress herself in the gingham and put on her best boots, which made the little trunk all the emptier; and the trunk itself was locked.
