used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “We have it all down to a science.
affectionsnounUS /əˈfekʃənz/
plural of “affection” — a positive feeling of liking
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
(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 “We have it all down to a science.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading We have every child’s birthday recorded and can tell almost to a certainty their dispositions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading We have every child’s birthday recorded and can tell almost to a certainty their dispositions.
brought into existence
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading We have every child’s birthday recorded and can tell almost to a certainty their dispositions.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
caressedverbUS /kərˈest/
past form of “caress” — touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
certaintynounUS /ˈsɜːrtənti/
the state of being certain
From this reading We have every child’s birthday recorded and can tell almost to a certainty their dispositions.
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading We have every child’s birthday recorded and can tell almost to a certainty their dispositions.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
craveverbUS /kreɪv/
have a craving, appetite, or great desire for
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
dispositionsnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “disposition” — your usual mood
From this reading We have every child’s birthday recorded and can tell almost to a certainty their dispositions.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “We have it all down to a science.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
divisible by two
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading We have every child’s birthday recorded and can tell almost to a certainty their dispositions.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
familiaritynounUS /fəˌmɪˈljerəti/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “We have it all down to a science.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
absolutely essential
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
Nellie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
and nothing more
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
the act of punishing
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
pushverbUS /pʊʃ/
move with force
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
recordedadjectiveUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪd/
set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
From this reading We have every child’s birthday recorded and can tell almost to a certainty their dispositions.
resentverbUS /rɪˈzent/
feel bitter or indignant about
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading “We have it all down to a science.
servesnounUS /sɜːrvz/
plural of “serve” — (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/
the profession of a teacher
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
express in words
From this reading We have every child’s birthday recorded and can tell almost to a certainty their dispositions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
male cat
From this reading Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “We have it all down to a science.
be dressed in
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
at the time that
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
which person or people
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear.
zodiacaladjective
relating to or included in the zodiac
From this reading Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary.
