used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
aglowadjectiveUS /əˈɡloʊ/
softly bright or radiant
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
(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 It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
Arnold'snounUS /ˈɑːrnəldz/
possessive form of “arnold” — English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
Betsy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading —A Verse of the Day.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
encompassverbUS /enˈkʌmpəs/
include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
fanverbUS /fæn/
strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
finishingnounUS /ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/
a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
gauzenounUS /ɡɔːz/
(medicine) bleached cotton cloth of plain weave used for bandages and dressings
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
ten 10s
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
inspectionnounUS /ˌɪnˈspekʃən/
a formal or official examination
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
and nothing more
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
come together
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
pastenounUS /peɪst/
any mixture of a soft and malleable consistency
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
Peggy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
pinverbUS /pɪn/
to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
pomatumnoun
hairdressing consisting of a perfumed oil or ointment
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
poundverbUS /paʊnd/
hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
sandalnounUS /ˈsændəl/
a shoe consisting of a sole fastened by straps to the foot
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
skullnounUS /skʌl/
the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
sticksnounUS /stɪks/
plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
literature in metrical form
From this reading —A Verse of the Day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the night of General Arnold’s tea, and the maiden had just put the finishing touch to her toilet, and was all aglow with excitement.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading “Will I do, mother?” asked Peggy, taking up the old fan with the sandal wood sticks, and turning about slowly for the lady’s inspection.
woolnounUS /wʊl/
a fabric made from the hair of sheep
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Her cap flies behind, for a yard at the least, And her curls meet just under her chin, And those curls are supported, to keep up the jest, By a hundred, instead of one pin.”
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading “Give Betsy a brush of horse hair and wool, Of paste and pomatum a pound, Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull, And gauze to encompass it round.
