used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
ambushverbUS /ˈæmbʊʃ/
wait in hiding to attack
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading “Take hold of her other arm!” commanded Tildy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
backwardsadverbUS /ˈbækwərdz/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
completely unclothed
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But Tildy had her before she was more than screened by the fence of Martin’s wheat-field.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Tildy had her before she was more than screened by the fence of Martin’s wheat-field.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But Tildy had her before she was more than screened by the fence of Martin’s wheat-field.
CHURNverbUS /tʃɜːrn/
stir (cream) vigorously in order to make butter
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading “Take hold of her other arm!” commanded Tildy.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
dog-fennel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
enclose with a fence
From this reading But Tildy had her before she was more than screened by the fence of Martin’s wheat-field.
flarenounUS /fler/
a shape that spreads outward
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
made afraid
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But Tildy had her before she was more than screened by the fence of Martin’s wheat-field.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “Take hold of her other arm!” commanded Tildy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
full of life and energy
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
Martin'snounUS /ˈmɑːrtənz/
possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading But Tildy had her before she was more than screened by the fence of Martin’s wheat-field.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
on one occasion
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading “Take hold of her other arm!” commanded Tildy.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
pantalettes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
Perintha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
reticulenoun
a woman's drawstring handbag; usually made of net or beading or brocade; used in 18th and 19th centuries
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
school-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
screenedverbUS /skriːnd/
past form of “screen” — test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
From this reading But Tildy had her before she was more than screened by the fence of Martin’s wheat-field.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
sillnounUS /sɪl/
structural member consisting of a continuous horizontal timber forming the lowest member of a framework or supporting structure
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
believed likely
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
swellingnounUS /ˈswelɪŋ/
an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
swiftnessnounUS /ˈswɪftnəs/
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
carry out
From this reading “Take hold of her other arm!” commanded Tildy.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But Tildy had her before she was more than screened by the fence of Martin’s wheat-field.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THEY CHURN A flare of lightning in the northern sky may have frightened Perintha as she stepped over the sill; or she may have suspected an ambush at each side of the school-house.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
Tildy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Tildy had her before she was more than screened by the fence of Martin’s wheat-field.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading At any rate, a strong desire to be once more under her father’s roof, gave swiftness to the little bare feet, and her pantalettes danced at a lively pace through the dog-fennel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Tildy had her before she was more than screened by the fence of Martin’s wheat-field.
wheat-field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Tildy had her before she was more than screened by the fence of Martin’s wheat-field.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Her black eyes gave one quick look behind, and after that look her reticule, like a swelling sail, stood straight backwards in the wind.
