used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading But I would rather never keep a diary another day than to have such a thing happen to Mammy Lou.
any person at all
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
anybody's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
awfullyadverbUS /ˈɑːfli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
biggestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡəst/
superlative of “big” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
breaksnounUS /breɪks/
plural of “break” — some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I would rather never keep a diary another day than to have such a thing happen to Mammy Lou.
churnverbUS /tʃɜːrn/
stir (cream) vigorously in order to make butter
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
cookingnounUS /ˈkʊkɪŋ/
the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
dasher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But I would rather never keep a diary another day than to have such a thing happen to Mammy Lou.
dearly loved
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
diarynounUS /ˈdaɪəri/
a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
one or the other of two
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
at any time
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
the act of departing
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
come to pass
From this reading But I would rather never keep a diary another day than to have such a thing happen to Mammy Lou.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But I would rather never keep a diary another day than to have such a thing happen to Mammy Lou.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
housekeepingnounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpɪŋ/
the work of cleaning and running a house
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
and nothing more
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading But I would rather never keep a diary another day than to have such a thing happen to Mammy Lou.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
Lou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
engage in
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
mammynoun
an offensive term for a Black nursemaid in the southern U.S.
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
Marse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But I would rather never keep a diary another day than to have such a thing happen to Mammy Lou.
not any; not one
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
on the contrary
From this reading But I would rather never keep a diary another day than to have such a thing happen to Mammy Lou.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
she's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
Solomonproper nounUS /ˈsɒl.ə.mən/
A legendary king renowned for his wisdom and fabulous hidden mines.
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
not in physical motion
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But I would rather never keep a diary another day than to have such a thing happen to Mammy Lou.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But I would rather never keep a diary another day than to have such a thing happen to Mammy Lou.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
a special situation
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/
being five more than twenty
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When mother heard about it she said not to be an old fool, but Mammy Lou said, "either Marse Shakespeare or Marse Solomon said a old fool was the biggest fool and she wasn't going to make him out no lie.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
we've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
at the time that
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mammy Lou has belonged to us just like father and mother ever since we've been at housekeeping, and my heart almost breaks to-night when I think of the fire in our stove that won't burn and the dasher in our churn that is still.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But I would rather never keep a diary another day than to have such a thing happen to Mammy Lou.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Ever since I've been keeping a diary I've been awfully glad to hear about anybody being in love, and took great pleasure in watching them and writing it all out, for I could _always_ imagine it was _me_ that was the lady.
a late time of life
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Did you ever think what a dear old thing anybody's black mammy is, my diary, especially when she's done all the cooking (and raised you) for twenty-five years?
