used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Tell us about her," exclaimed Betty, leaning forward eagerly.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
ancestornounUS /ˈænsestər/
someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
Annie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tell us about her," exclaimed Betty, leaning forward eagerly.
a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
a female human offspring
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading Tell us about her," exclaimed Betty, leaning forward eagerly.
a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
apart from; not including
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading Tell us about her," exclaimed Betty, leaning forward eagerly.
FIVE-BAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Tell us about her," exclaimed Betty, leaning forward eagerly.
frownedverbUS /fraʊnd/
past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Tell us about her," exclaimed Betty, leaning forward eagerly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
Laurie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Tell us about her," exclaimed Betty, leaning forward eagerly.
a room where books are kept
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
joined in matrimony
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
take in marriage
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
Maxwellton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "Really!
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
roguishadjective
playful in an appealingly bold way
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
term of address for a man
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
express in words
From this reading Tell us about her," exclaimed Betty, leaning forward eagerly.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
in or at that place or location
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
ThompsonnounUS /ˈtɑːmpsən/
United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Tell us about her," exclaimed Betty, leaning forward eagerly.
versesnounUS /ˈvɜːrsəz/
plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
which person or people
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading "She didn't?" frowned Bob, while Miss Thompson watched him with a roguish smile.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading "I'm afraid there isn't much to tell except that she did not marry the poor young man--what was his name?--who wrote those tender verses about her?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading THE FIVE-BAR GATE "It may interest you young people to know," the bishop was saying in the library, "that Annie Laurie--you know she was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, and--er--she married an ancestor of mine."
