used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Sally, I am sorry to say, had been jilted.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
best-regulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
cockroachesnounUS /ˈkɑːkroʊtʃɪz/
plural of “cockroach” — any of numerous chiefly nocturnal insects; some are domestic pests
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
crackedadjectiveUS /krækt/
used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
dressernounUS /ˈdresər/
furniture with drawers for keeping clothes
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
duckingnounUS /ˈdʌkɪŋ/
hunting ducks
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
grocer-boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
hiding-places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Sally, I am sorry to say, had been jilted.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
intrudeverbUS /ˌɪnˈtruːd/
enter uninvited
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
jiltedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɪltɪd/
rebuffed (by a lover) without warning
From this reading Sally, I am sorry to say, had been jilted.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
and nothing more
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
looking-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
MaltesenounUS /mɔːlˈtiːz/
a native or inhabitant of Malta
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
mousenounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
multiplyingverbUS /ˈmʌltəplaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “multiply” — combine by multiplication
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
performingnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
relativesnounUS /ˈrelətɪvz/
plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
witty remark
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
Sally'snounUS /ˈsæliz/
possessive form of “sally” — witty remark
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
express in words
From this reading Sally, I am sorry to say, had been jilted.
scamperedverbUS /ˈskæmpərd/
past form of “scamper” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading Sally, I am sorry to say, had been jilted.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
sugar-bowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
suggestiveadjectiveUS /səˈdʒestɪv/
tending to suggest or imply
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
thievingnounUS /ˈθiːvɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
precisely as stated
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
