used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
on or to one side
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
Bert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have had quite enough nonsense, Bert.
Bert's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
Bertie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
Del
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
demonsnounUS /ˈdiːmənz/
plural of “demon” — an evil supernatural being
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "I have had quite enough nonsense, Bert.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
opinion or judgment
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
the act of departing
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I have had quite enough nonsense, Bert.
Hadwell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I will not," was Mrs. Hadwell’s unexpected rejoinder.
come to pass
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
humblyadverbUS /ˈhʌmbli/
in a humble manner
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
irrepressibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪrəˈpresəbəl/
impossible to repress or control
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
and nothing more
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
a particular point in time
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "I will not," was Mrs. Hadwell’s unexpected rejoinder.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading "I have had quite enough nonsense, Bert.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I will not," was Mrs. Hadwell’s unexpected rejoinder.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
on one occasion
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
and nothing more
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "I have had quite enough nonsense, Bert.
rejoindernounUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪndər/
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
From this reading "I will not," was Mrs. Hadwell’s unexpected rejoinder.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
in the near future
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
straightenverbUS /ˈstreɪtən/
straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
twinkleverbUS /ˈtwɪŋkəl/
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading "I will not," was Mrs. Hadwell’s unexpected rejoinder.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I will not," was Mrs. Hadwell’s unexpected rejoinder.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
we'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
(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 Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Bert’s face worked for a moment: he said something in an aside to his sister, then spoke.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Every one is going to supper, now; well, Bertie and I are going in together and, just as soon as the people are seated, you will see what will happen."
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Aunt Del," he said, humbly but with an irrepressible twinkle in his black eyes, "we have acted like a couple of demons, I must admit, but, if you’ll only forgive us this once, I swear we’ll straighten things out.
