used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
accountedverbUS /əˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “account” — be the sole or primary factor in the existence, acquisition, supply, or disposal of something
From this reading "I noticed," remarked his aunt, "that you were the quietest of the party, and it is now accounted for.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
arrangeverbUS /ərˈeɪndʒ/
put into a proper or systematic order
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading "I noticed," remarked his aunt, "that you were the quietest of the party, and it is now accounted for.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
behaviournounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
From this reading By exercising your mind, you ensured polite behaviour.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By exercising your mind, you ensured polite behaviour.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
commencingverbUS /kəˈmensɪŋ/
-ing form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
ensuredverbUS /enˈʃʊrd/
past form of “ensure” — make certain of
From this reading By exercising your mind, you ensured polite behaviour.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
exercisingnounUS /ˈeksərsaɪzɪŋ/
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading By exercising your mind, you ensured polite behaviour.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
start firing a weapon
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
the act of giving
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
humornounUS /ˈhjuːmər/
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I noticed," remarked his aunt, "that you were the quietest of the party, and it is now accounted for.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
the act of departing
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
a unit of instruction
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
mamanounUS /ˈmɑːmə/
informal terms for a mother
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
mamasnounUS /ˈmɑːməz/
plural of “mama” — informal terms for a mother
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading By exercising your mind, you ensured polite behaviour.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
being perceived or observed
From this reading "I noticed," remarked his aunt, "that you were the quietest of the party, and it is now accounted for.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "I noticed," remarked his aunt, "that you were the quietest of the party, and it is now accounted for.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
an organization to gain political power
From this reading "I noticed," remarked his aunt, "that you were the quietest of the party, and it is now accounted for.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
an amount of time
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading By exercising your mind, you ensured polite behaviour.
quietestadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪətəst/
superlative of “quiet” — characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading "I noticed," remarked his aunt, "that you were the quietest of the party, and it is now accounted for.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "I noticed," remarked his aunt, "that you were the quietest of the party, and it is now accounted for.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
only a very short time before
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
someone who visits
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
a Caucasian
From this reading "While Mr. White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading The children never failed to join their mamas at the usual time, and sometimes were almost inclined to believe it was dark, and time to shut the shutters, earlier than the ladies wished.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading This evening they had a lesson in good humor, for a visitor stayed so long that the period for commencing arrived and passed, without his giving any signs of leaving; but he was scarcely down stairs before they began to arrange themselves round the fire.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I noticed," remarked his aunt, "that you were the quietest of the party, and it is now accounted for.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading By exercising your mind, you ensured polite behaviour.
