used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
in actual fact
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
(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 However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
asylumnounUS /əˈsaɪləm/
a shelter from danger or hardship
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
ClarknounUS /klɑːrk/
United States explorer who (with Meriwether Lewis) led an expedition from St. Louis to the mouth of the Columbia River; Clark was responsible for making maps of the area (1770-1838)
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
Crippen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
EsthernounUS /ˈestər/
(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
at any time
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
start firing a weapon
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
frightenverbUS /ˈfraɪtən/
cause fear in
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
the act of departing
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
come to pass
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
HerrnounUS /her/
a German man; used before the name as a title equivalent to Mr in English
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
immediately past
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
for more time
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
absolutely essential
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
not any; not one
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
and nothing more
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
opposedadjectiveUS /əˈpoʊzd/
being in opposition or having an opponent
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
orphannounUS /ˈɔːrfən/
a child who has lost both parents
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
on the contrary
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
rehearsalnounUS /rɪˈhɜːrsəl/
a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
To recall to mind.
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
satisfactorilyadverbUS /ˌsætɪˈsfæktrəli/
in a satisfactory manner
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
strangestadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪndʒɪst/
superlative of “strange” — being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
SunrisenounUS /ˈsʌnraɪz/
the first light of day
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
visitingnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making visits
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
(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 It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
at the time that
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For some reason or other, which Esther had never had satisfactorily explained to her, she had been kept longer at the orphan asylum than any of the other children.
which person or people
From this reading However, of all the Sunrise Camp Fire club it was Esther Clark who actually had the strangest Christmas eve experience.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Betty had rather opposed her going over to the orphan asylum for a last rehearsal of her song with Herr Crippen.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was not really necessary, for Esther knew her song as well as she ever would be able to learn it and could only fail in her singing of it on Christmas night should her audience happen to frighten her voice away.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Nevertheless, Esther had a kind of sentiment in seeing her old friends at the asylum on Christmas eve, since this was the first year that she could remember when her Christmas had not been spent with them, and there would be no opportunity for visiting the next day.
