used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
another's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
containverbUS /kənˈteɪn/
include or contain; have as a component
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
greatly pleased
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Mrs. Tingley handed the presents out, while the boys lifted them down for her.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
excelledverbUS /ɪkˈseld/
inflected form of “excel” — distinguish oneself
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Tingley handed the presents out, while the boys lifted them down for her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading Mrs. Tingley handed the presents out, while the boys lifted them down for her.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Tingley handed the presents out, while the boys lifted them down for her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
jeweler'snounUS /ˈdʒuːələrz/
possessive form of “jeweler” — someone who makes jewelry
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
held up in the air
From this reading Mrs. Tingley handed the presents out, while the boys lifted them down for her.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Tingley handed the presents out, while the boys lifted them down for her.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
nestledadjectiveUS /ˈnesəld/
drawn or pressed close to someone or something for or as if for affection or protection
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
oddestadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəst/
superlative of “odd” — not divisible by two
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Mrs. Tingley handed the presents out, while the boys lifted them down for her.
packagesnounUS /ˈpækədʒəz/
plural of “package” — a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
parcelnounUS /ˈpɑːrsəl/
a wrapped container
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
presentsnounUS /ˈprezənts/
plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
established beyond doubt
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
shapedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪpt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FUN ON THE ICE Of course, the girls had prepared one another's presents long before.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Mrs. Tingley handed the presents out, while the boys lifted them down for her.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
bound or secured closely
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
Tingley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Tingley handed the presents out, while the boys lifted them down for her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
male cat
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
trimmingnounUS /ˈtrɪmɪŋ/
the act of adding decoration
From this reading Each had been tied in a queer bundle so, in trimming the tree, the nature of the contents could not be guessed.
twinnounUS /twɪn/
either of two offspring born at the same time from the same pregnancy
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
umbrellanounUS /əmˈbrelə/
a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The oddest shaped things hung from the branches of the Christmas tree, and the boys had excelled in making up these "surprise packages."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A long, tightly rolled parcel, which looked as though it ought to contain an umbrella, and was marked "To Helen from Tom," finally proved to contain a jeweler's box, in which nestled a pretty ring, which delighted his twin.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Mrs. Tingley handed the presents out, while the boys lifted them down for her.
