AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
ALVIRAH'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
AUNTnounUS /ænt/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
BACKadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
BONESnounUS /boʊnz/
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
breastnounUS /brest/
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
broomnounUS /bruːm/
a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
crooningnounUS /ˈkruːnɪŋ/
singing in a soft low tone
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
crossedadjectiveUS /krɔːst/
placed crosswise
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
dustpannoun
the quantity that a dustpan will hold
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
flungverbUS /flʌŋ/
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
hobbledverbUS /ˈhɑːbəld/
past form of “hobble” — walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
kerchiefnounUS /ˈkɜːrtʃəf/
a square scarf that is folded into a triangle and worn over the head or about the neck
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Oh, my back and oh, my bones!
neat-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
OhnounUS /oʊ/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, my back and oh, my bones!
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
panelnounUS /ˈpænəl/
sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
Quakeresses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
ragnounUS /ræɡ/
a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
RuthnounUS /ruːθ/
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
SpringnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
stylenounUS /staɪl/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
sunlightnounUS /ˈsʌnlaɪt/
the rays of the sun
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
sweetadjectiveUS /swiːt/
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
upperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/
the topmost one of two
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading She was a very neat-looking old lady, with a kerchief crossed on her breast in the style of the old-fashioned Quakeresses.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
whiskverbUS /wɪsk/
move somewhere quickly
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan, and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:
