used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
anew
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
(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 There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
for the reason that
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
of short duration or distance
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
Carey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
Cornelia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
disapproveverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpruːv/
consider bad or wrong
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
dishesnounUS /ˈdɪʃəz/
plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
a social unit living together
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
genuineadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenjəwən/
not fake or counterfeit
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
gravynounUS /ˈɡreɪvi/
a sauce made by adding stock, flour, or other ingredients to the juice and fat that drips from cooking meats
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
gravy-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
greetverbUS /ɡriːt/
express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
hesitancynounUS /ˈhezɪtənsi/
a feeling of diffidence and indecision about doing something
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
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 But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
it'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
lusciousadjectiveUS /ˈlʌʃɪs/
having strong sexual appeal
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
engage in
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
Nell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Nell!”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
by chance
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
platesnounUS /pleɪts/
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
To recall to mind.
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
shamedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪmd/
showing a sense of guilt
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
shylyadverbUS /ˈʃaɪli/
in a shy or timid or bashful manner
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
SorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
spillingverbUS /ˈspɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
not in physical motion
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
tableclothnounUS /ˈteɪbəlklɔːθ/
a covering spread over a dining table
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
treacherousadjectiveUS /ˈtretʃərəs/
dangerously unstable and unpredictable
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
hard to endure
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
