used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
agedadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
(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 Soon the other members of the household appeared, and then dinner was announced, and they all went to the dining-room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading Soon the other members of the household appeared, and then dinner was announced, and they all went to the dining-room.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Soon the other members of the household appeared, and then dinner was announced, and they all went to the dining-room.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
BobbynounUS /ˈbɑːbi/
an informal term for a British policeman
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
celebrationnounUS /ˌseləˈbreɪʃən/
a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading Soon the other members of the household appeared, and then dinner was announced, and they all went to the dining-room.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
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 A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
Elise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
a social unit living together
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
Farrington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
festivitiesnounUS /feˈstɪvətiz/
plural of “festivity” — any joyous diversion
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
set up or found
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
frolicnounUS /ˈfrɑːlɪk/
gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
HarpernounUS /ˈhɑːrpər/
someone who plays the harp
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
Hester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
a social unit living together
From this reading Soon the other members of the household appeared, and then dinner was announced, and they all went to the dining-room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
Kenneth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
Louise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Soon the other members of the household appeared, and then dinner was announced, and they all went to the dining-room.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
not any; not one
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
PattynounUS /ˈpæti/
small flat mass of chopped food
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
in the near future
From this reading Soon the other members of the household appeared, and then dinner was announced, and they all went to the dining-room.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
carry out
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Soon the other members of the household appeared, and then dinner was announced, and they all went to the dining-room.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Soon the other members of the household appeared, and then dinner was announced, and they all went to the dining-room.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.
at the time that
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading A SPLENDID TREE The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.
