adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Have you noticed what beauties Bill and Peyton have grown to be?” she questioned pleasantly.
beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/
plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading “Have you noticed what beauties Bill and Peyton have grown to be?” she questioned pleasantly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
BillnounUS /bɪl/
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading “Have you noticed what beauties Bill and Peyton have grown to be?” she questioned pleasantly.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
callingnounUS /ˈkɔːlɪŋ/
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
carrotnounUS /ˈkærət/
deep orange edible root of the cultivated carrot plant
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
crowsnounUS /kroʊz/
plural of “crow” — black birds having a raucous call
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
dareverbUS /der/
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
dogsnounUS /dɑːɡz/
plural of “dog” — 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 “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
exclaimedverbUS /ɪkˈskleɪmd/
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/
more quickly
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
flocknounUS /flɑːk/
a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
flyingadjectiveUS /ˈflaɪɪŋ/
moving swiftly
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
gravenounUS /ɡreɪv/
death of a person
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
grownadjectiveUS /ɡroʊn/
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading “Have you noticed what beauties Bill and Peyton have grown to be?” she questioned pleasantly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
hairsnounUS /herz/
plural of “hair” — 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 Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Have you noticed what beauties Bill and Peyton have grown to be?” she questioned pleasantly.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
hollynounUS /ˈhɑːli/
any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex having red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
namedverbUS /neɪmd/
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
noticedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəst/
being perceived or observed
From this reading “Have you noticed what beauties Bill and Peyton have grown to be?” she questioned pleasantly.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
papanounUS /ˈpɑːpʌ/
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
Peyton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Have you noticed what beauties Bill and Peyton have grown to be?” she questioned pleasantly.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading “Have you noticed what beauties Bill and Peyton have grown to be?” she questioned pleasantly.
questionedverbUS /ˈkwestʃənd/
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading “Have you noticed what beauties Bill and Peyton have grown to be?” she questioned pleasantly.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
saysnounUS /sez/
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
seriouslyadverbUS /ˈsɪriəsli/
in a serious manner
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
sorrownounUS /ˈsɑːroʊ/
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
spectres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
touchverbUS /tʌtʃ/
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
UnclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
walkingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːkɪŋ/
close enough to be walked to
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
WelladverbUS /wel/
(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, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
weren't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There weren't any boys to be named after papa and Uncle Bill, so I called the dogs after them, you know.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Have you noticed what beauties Bill and Peyton have grown to be?” she questioned pleasantly.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
wickedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪkəd/
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Papa says he would rather have had a son named Peyton; but I tell him the son might have been wicked and brought his hairs in sorrow to the grave.”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Have you noticed what beauties Bill and Peyton have grown to be?” she questioned pleasantly.
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, I dare say, you're right,” he stopped with a sweep of his hand, and stood looking to where a flock of crows were flying over the dried spectres of carrot flowers that stood up above the snow; “That's fine, now, isn't it?” he asked seriously.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Don't touch me with your holly!” exclaimed Betty, walking faster; then in a moment she turned and stood calling to the dogs.
