used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
baconnounUS /ˈbeɪkən/
back and sides of a hog salted and dried or smoked; usually sliced thin and fried
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
BowersnounUS /ˈbaʊərz/
plural of “bower” — a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
boy-of-all-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/
inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
butternounUS /ˈbʌtər/
an edible emulsion of fat globules made by churning milk or cream; for cooking and table use
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
permission to do something
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
corn-cakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
declinedverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
defyverbUS /dɪˈfaɪ/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
farenounUS /fer/
an agenda of things to do
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
friedadjectiveUS /fraɪd/
cooked by frying in fat
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
hatrednounUS /ˈheɪtrəd/
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
with impatience; in an impatient manner
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
LeonnounUS /ˈliːɑːn/
a historical area and former kingdom in northwestern Spain
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
nodverbUS /nɑːd/
express or signify by nodding
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
pacedverbUS /peɪst/
past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
partakeverbUS /pɑːrˈteɪk/
have some of the qualities or attributes of something
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
Queenie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
without much difficulty
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
action taken in return for an injury or offense
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
signifiednounUS /ˈsɪɡnəfaɪd/
the meaning of a word or expression; the way in which a word or expression or situation can be interpreted
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
surlyadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrli/
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
ThornnounUS /θɔːrn/
something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading Mrs. Thorn, seeing that Queenie was better and did not need her attention, busied herself in setting the neglected breakfast upon the table.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
a shaky motion
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
Vinton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading She put on the smoking coffee, the hot corn-cakes, the fried bacon and eggs, the fresh butter and milk, and invited her visitors to partake of the homely fare.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Leon Vinton declined the invitation by a surly nod, but Queenie, who had been watching her movements eagerly, readily signified her consent.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The time passed slowly enough to the impatient Vinton while the boy-of-all-work was gone on his mission to Mrs. Bowers.
which person or people
From this reading He paced up and down impatiently, now and then casting surly looks of hatred and revenge upon the honest farmer who had dared to defy him and protect his trembling victim.
