used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
(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 "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
cradlenounUS /ˈkreɪdəl/
a baby bed with sides and rockers
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
elfishadjectiveUS /ˈelfɪʃ/
usually good-naturedly mischievous
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
set up or found
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
fragileadjectiveUS /ˈfrædʒəl/
easily broken or damaged or destroyed
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
framedadjectiveUS /freɪmd/
provided with a frame
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
a young female
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
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 Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
the act of departing
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
LETTY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
maladynounUS /ˈmælədi/
any unwholesome or desperate condition
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
MillernounUS /ˈmɪlər/
United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
nurse'snounUS /ˈnɜːrsɪz/
possessive form of “nurse” — one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
optimisticadjectiveUS /ˌɑːptəˈmɪstɪk/
expecting the best in this best of all possible worlds
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
outgrowverbUS /ˌaʊtˈɡroʊ/
grow too large or too mature for
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
pallornoun
unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
on the contrary
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
reassuredadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrd/
having confidence restored; freed from anxiety
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
a source of difficulty
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
undevelopedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈveləpt/
not developed, mature, or fully formulated
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
unhealthyadjectiveUS /ənˈhelθi/
not in or exhibiting good health in body or mind
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Caroline had questioned Miss Miller about the child's malady, and she had been reassured by the other nurse's optimistic view of the case.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her soft, fine hair hung straight to her shoulders, and framed her serious little face, which was charming in spite of its unhealthy pallor.
which person or people
From this reading LETTY In the breakfast room next morning, Caroline found the little girl in charge of Miss Miller, the nurse who was leaving that day.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "We think she may outgrow the trouble, that's why we are so careful about all the rules she lives by.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
a late time of life
From this reading Letty was a fragile, undeveloped child of seven years, with the dark hair and eyes of her father, and the old, rather elfish look of children who have been ill from the cradle.
