used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
a youthful male person
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
BunkernounUS /ˈbʌŋkər/
a hazard on a golf course
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Laddie said later that he thought it might be Ralph come on the same sort of errand.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
complexionnounUS /kəmˈplekʃən/
the coloring of a person's face
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading Laddie said later that he thought it might be Ralph come on the same sort of errand.
at any time
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Laddie said later that he thought it might be Ralph come on the same sort of errand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
Jimsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
Joel'snounUS /ˈdʒoʊəlz/
possessive form of “joel” — a Hebrew minor prophet
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
Laddienoun
a male child (a familiar term of address to a boy)
From this reading Laddie said later that he thought it might be Ralph come on the same sort of errand.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Laddie said later that he thought it might be Ralph come on the same sort of errand.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Laddie said later that he thought it might be Ralph come on the same sort of errand.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
arrange in a container
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
peddlernounUS /ˈpedlər/
someone who travels about selling his wares (as on the streets or at carnivals)
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laddie said later that he thought it might be Ralph come on the same sort of errand.
Rose'snounUS /ˈroʊzɪz/
possessive form of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
RussnounUS /rʌs/
plural of “rus” — the medieval Russian state established by Scandinavian traders in the 9th century; the capital was first in Novgorod and then in Kiev
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Laddie said later that he thought it might be Ralph come on the same sort of errand.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
SHOE-LACE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
shortcakenounUS /ˈʃɔːrtkeɪk/
very short biscuit dough baked as individual biscuits or a round loaf; served with sweetened fruit and usually whipped cream
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
slungverbUS /slʌŋ/
inflected form of “sling” — hurl as if with a sling
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Laddie said later that he thought it might be Ralph come on the same sort of errand.
strapnounUS /stræp/
an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
strawberrynounUS /ˈstrɔːberi/
sweet fleshy red fruit
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Laddie said later that he thought it might be Ralph come on the same sort of errand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
VioletnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading Afterward Violet said she thought it might be some of the neighbors coming to ask for a piece of Rose’s strawberry shortcake.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Well, it was a boy who had knocked on the door, but it was not Ralph, the master of Jimsie, the dog, nor was it any boy the Bunker children had ever seen around Farmer Joel’s place.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
which person or people
From this reading THE SHOE-LACE BOY Russ, who was nearest the door, went to open it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a “peddler boy,” as Violet called him—a boy with dark hair, dark complexion, and deep brown eyes, and he carried a pack on his back and a box slung by a strap in front of him.
