used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
how long something has existed
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Yet at heart he was very fond of his pretty sister.
barricadedadjectiveUS /ˈbærəkeɪdɪd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
give encouragement to
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
confideverbUS /kənˈfaɪd/
reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
deem to be
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
damselnounUS /ˈdæmzəl/
a young unmarried woman
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
DIDauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
emancipateverbUS /ɪˈmænsəpeɪt/
give equal rights to; of women and minorities
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Yet at heart he was very fond of his pretty sister.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Yet at heart he was very fond of his pretty sister.
helpfuladjectiveUS /ˈhelpfəl/
providing assistance or serving a useful function
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
longedverbUS /lɔːŋd/
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
something that is lost
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
manlyadjectiveUS /ˈmænli/
possessing qualities befitting a man
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
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 _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
many times at short intervals
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
perplexities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
petticoatnounUS /ˈpetikoʊt/
undergarment worn under a skirt
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
POLLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Yet at heart he was very fond of his pretty sister.
with speed
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
regardlessadverbUS /rəˈɡɑːrdləs/
in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
repressverbUS /riˈpres/
put down by force or intimidation
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Yet at heart he was very fond of his pretty sister.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
snubbedverbUS /snʌbd/
inflected form of “snub” — refuse to acknowledge
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
strengthenverbUS /ˈstreŋθən/
make strong or stronger
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
superioritynounUS /ˌsuːpɪriˈɔːrɪti/
the quality of being superior
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
carry out
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
a special situation
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty
From this reading At times he felt strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful creature to cheer and strengthen him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
UnfortunatelyadverbUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by bad luck
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
precisely as stated
From this reading Yet at heart he was very fond of his pretty sister.
warningsnounUS /ˈwɔːrnɪŋz/
plural of “warning” — a message informing of danger
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yet at heart he was very fond of his pretty sister.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading _WHAT POLLY DID._ Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take good care of the boys.
at the time that
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
women-folk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.
a late time of life
From this reading Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet at heart he was very fond of his pretty sister.
