Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

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

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

Having no one else present.

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

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

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

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

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

a long seat for more than one person

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

a person with fair skin and hair

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Excuse me, but may I have part of your seat?"

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

-ing form of “circle” — travel around something

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

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

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

accept an excuse for

From this reading "Excuse me, but may I have part of your seat?"

opinion or judgment

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

a long fixed look

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

diffusing warmth and friendliness

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Excuse me, but may I have part of your seat?"

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

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

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

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

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

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

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

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

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

From this reading "Excuse me, but may I have part of your seat?"

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

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

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

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

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

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

(of movement) having a light and springy step

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "Excuse me, but may I have part of your seat?"

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

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Excuse me, but may I have part of your seat?"

in a joyous manner

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

being roughly between 45 and 65 years old

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

being perceived or observed

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading "Excuse me, but may I have part of your seat?"

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

plural of “pole” — a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

on the contrary

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

plural of “ribbon” — any long object resembling a thin line

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

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

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

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

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading "Excuse me, but may I have part of your seat?"

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

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

unable to find your way

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

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

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

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

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

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

From this reading "I guess he's a friend of the housekeeper's; I noticed him speaking with her to-day," thought Ivy, her gaze straying back to the light-footed dancers.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

-ing form of “twirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

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

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading IVY'S FRIEND In the middle of the afternoon as Ivy sat alone on a bench beneath a tree, listening to the band and watching the children circling merrily round a number of maypoles, she heard a voice at her side:

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

From this reading "It looks easy, twirling those ribbons around the poles, but isn't it rather warm weather, for dancing?"

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

which person or people

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Why, certainly!" she said, making room for the speaker, a middle-aged man with genial blue eyes and a blonde beard, who was dressed in an easy-fitting, light suit, and carried a large book which he placed with his hat on the grass at his feet.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Excuse me, but may I have part of your seat?"