AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Petticoats were one of the oldest and pride-fullest of New England families.
AnotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another fine old New England family, the Cottons.
branchnounUS /bræntʃ/
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
CirclenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
ConnecticutnounUS /kəˈnetəkət/
a New England state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
CottonsnounUS /ˈkɑːtənz/
plural of “cotton” — soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading Another fine old New England family, the Cottons.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
cradlesnounUS /ˈkreɪdəlz/
plural of “cradle” — a baby bed with sides and rockers
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
decencynounUS /ˈdiːsənsi/
the quality of conforming to standards of propriety and morality
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
DressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading The Petticoats were one of the oldest and pride-fullest of New England families.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
familiesnounUS /ˈfæməliz/
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading The Petticoats were one of the oldest and pride-fullest of New England families.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading Another fine old New England family, the Cottons.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Another fine old New England family, the Cottons.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
formedadjectiveUS /fɔːrmd/
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
foundedverbUS /ˈfaʊndɪd/
past form of “found” — set up or found
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
highboys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
MayflowernounUS /ˈmeɪflaʊər/
the ship in which the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from England to Massachusetts in 1620
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/
absolutely essential
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
NewadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The Petticoats were one of the oldest and pride-fullest of New England families.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Petticoats were one of the oldest and pride-fullest of New England families.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Another fine old New England family, the Cottons.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The Petticoats were one of the oldest and pride-fullest of New England families.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Petticoats were one of the oldest and pride-fullest of New England families.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
PetticoatsnounUS /ˈpetikoʊts/
plural of “petticoat” — undergarment worn under a skirt
From this reading The Petticoats were one of the oldest and pride-fullest of New England families.
pride-fullest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Petticoats were one of the oldest and pride-fullest of New England families.
proprietynounUS /prəˈpraɪəti/
correct or appropriate behavior
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
settlesnounUS /ˈsetəlz/
plural of “settle” — a long wooden bench with a back
From this reading So that settles the status of the Petticoats.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So that settles the status of the Petticoats.
societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
statusnounUS /ˈstætəs/
the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society
From this reading So that settles the status of the Petticoats.
stiffadjectiveUS /stɪf/
not moving or operating freely
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So that settles the status of the Petticoats.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Petticoats were one of the oldest and pride-fullest of New England families.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
upperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/
the topmost one of two
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Of course, the Petticoats were not in the very upper circles of society, not in the Dress Circle, so to speak, but they formed a very necessary foundation, they stood for propriety and decency, and the Petticoats were stiff enough to stand alone.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Petticoats were one of the oldest and pride-fullest of New England families.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A couple of them came over in the _Mayflower_, with the highboys and cradles and things, and they founded the branch of Connecticut Petticoats--than which, of course, there is nothing more so.
