used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
boiledadjectiveUS /bɔɪld/
cooked in hot water
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
borrowverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊ/
get temporarily
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But one way remained to her—to steal the precious robe.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
endeavoringverbUS /ɪnˈdevərɪŋ/
-ing form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
fairiesnounUS /ˈferiz/
plural of “fairy” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
FluffnounUS /flʌf/
any light downy material
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But one way remained to her—to steal the precious robe.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
incantationnounUS /ˌɪn.kænˈteɪ.ʃən/
A series of words said as a magic spell or charm to summon supernatural forces.
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
inkyadjectiveUS /ˈɪŋki/
of the color of black ink
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
Ixnoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
kettlenounUS /ˈketəl/
a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
mixturenounUS /ˈmɪkstʃər/
(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
molassesnounUS /məˈlæsəz/
thick dark syrup produced by boiling down juice from sugar cane; especially during sugar refining
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
mutteringnounUS /ˈmʌtərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
not any; not one
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
Noland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But one way remained to her—to steal the precious robe.
openlyadverbUS /ˈoʊpənli/
in an open way
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading But one way remained to her—to steal the precious robe.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
pricelessadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪsləs/
having incalculable monetary, intellectual, or spiritual worth
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But one way remained to her—to steal the precious robe.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
robenounUS /roʊb/
any loose flowing garment
From this reading But one way remained to her—to steal the precious robe.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
get by special effort
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
stealverbUS /stiːl/
take without the owner's consent
From this reading But one way remained to her—to steal the precious robe.
swallowedverbUS /ˈswɑːloʊd/
past form of “swallow” — pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
teaspoonfuls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Of this inky mixture she swallowed two teaspoonfuls every hour for six hours, muttering an incantation each time.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But one way remained to her—to steal the precious robe.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
witchcraftnounUS /ˈwɪtʃkræft/
the art of sorcery
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The people of Ix were not on friendly terms with the people of Noland; so she could not visit Princess Fluff openly; and she knew it was useless to try to borrow so priceless a treasure as a cloak which had been the gift of the fairies.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading So she began her preparations by telling her people she would be absent from Ix for a month, and then she retired to her own room and mixed, by the rules of witchcraft, a black mess in a silver kettle, and boiled it until it was as thick as molasses.
Zixi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, as might be expected, Queen Zixi lost no time in endeavoring to secure the magic cloak.
