used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
Arthur'snounUS /ˈɑːrθərz/
possessive form of “arthur” — elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I haven’t been naughty.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
a youthful male person
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Once he called out: “Don’t let them whip me, mamma!
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
a young person of either sex
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
cotnounUS /kɑːt/
a sheath worn to protect a finger
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once he called out: “Don’t let them whip me, mamma!
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
Dustin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
in a serious manner
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
finishingnounUS /ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/
a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
haven't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I haven’t been naughty.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
a social unit living together
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I haven’t been naughty.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Once he called out: “Don’t let them whip me, mamma!
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
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 He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
informal terms for a mother
From this reading Once he called out: “Don’t let them whip me, mamma!
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Once he called out: “Don’t let them whip me, mamma!
memorableadjectiveUS /ˈmemərəbəl/
worth remembering
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
moanedverbUS /moʊnd/
past form of “moan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
a form of address for a man
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
naughtyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːti/
suggestive of sexual impropriety
From this reading I haven’t been naughty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
on one occasion
From this reading Once he called out: “Don’t let them whip me, mamma!
and nothing more
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Once he called out: “Don’t let them whip me, mamma!
overcrowdedverbUS /ˈoʊvərkraʊdɪd/
past form of “overcrowd” — cause to crowd together too much
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
the act of punishing
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
the state of being asleep
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
sleeping-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
with low volume
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
tear-stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Once he called out: “Don’t let them whip me, mamma!
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
unjustadjectiveUS /ənˈdʒʌst/
not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was hot and flushed, and the sleeping boy tossed and moaned as though visited by unhappy dreams.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
whipverbUS /wɪp/
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading Once he called out: “Don’t let them whip me, mamma!
which person or people
From this reading He closed the door behind him, and, by the light of a candle that he carried, gazed long and earnestly at the tear-stained face of the child who lay on a rude cot.
woodshednounUS /ˈwʊdʃed/
a shed for storing firewood or garden tools
From this reading After finishing his supper on the memorable evening of Arthur’s unjust punishment, Mr. John Dustin stepped softly into the woodshed, which, in that overcrowded household, had seemed to be the only place that could be given up for an extra sleeping-room.
