used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
(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 The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading That beautiful, little golden-haired, smiling thing, so full of life!
benchesnounUS /ˈbentʃɪz/
plural of “bench” — a long seat for more than one person
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
bonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/
a hat tied under the chin
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was all right now.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading That beautiful, little golden-haired, smiling thing, so full of life!
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
golden-haired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That beautiful, little golden-haired, smiling thing, so full of life!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
huggedverbUS /hʌɡd/
inflected form of “hug” — hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was all right now.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading That beautiful, little golden-haired, smiling thing, so full of life!
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading That beautiful, little golden-haired, smiling thing, so full of life!
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
nou-nou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But it was all right now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
compacted by ironing
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
precisely, exactly
From this reading But it was all right now.
express in words
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
screamedverbUS /skriːmd/
past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
shriekedadjectiveUS /ʃriːkt/
uttered in a shrill scream as of pain or terror
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading That beautiful, little golden-haired, smiling thing, so full of life!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
tannounUS /tæn/
a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
a special situation
From this reading That beautiful, little golden-haired, smiling thing, so full of life!
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
having come into contact
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
a Caucasian
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
which person or people
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The man who drove was pale under his coat of brown tan as with a crash of machinery he brought the big blue car to a stop so close to the child that its glittering bonnet touched her coat.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He did not say a word for an instant, for his lips were pressed so tightly together, that they were a white line.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The nou-nou shrieked and hugged her muffled charge; the old lady screamed, and all the other old ladies and young ladies, and pretty girls sitting on the benches, or walking about, screamed too.
