used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
achesnounUS /eɪks/
plural of “ache” — a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
pleasantly occupied
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
arrangeverbUS /ərˈeɪndʒ/
put into a proper or systematic order
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
badgenounUS /bædʒ/
an emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.)
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
dearly loved
From this reading "Dear little girls!
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
DIDauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
ear-rings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
the organ of sight
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading "Dear little girls!
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
in the recent past
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
leaguenounUS /liːɡ/
an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
locketsnounUS /ˈlɑːkɪts/
plural of “locket” — a small ornamental case; usually contains a picture or a lock of hair and is worn on a necklace
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
informal terms for a mother
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
not any; not one
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
not divisible by two
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
pitchernounUS /ˈpɪtʃər/
(baseball) the person who does the pitching
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
PORTIA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
Pris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
be seated
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
sofa-cushions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
carry out
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
temperancenounUS /ˈtempərəns/
the trait of avoiding excesses
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
up to a particular time
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
very small
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.
arousing affect
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
trinketnounUS /ˈtrɪŋkət/
cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
be dressed in
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.
showing curiosity
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _WHAT PORTIA DID._ "I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."
