used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
(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 Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
budnounUS /bʌd/
a partially opened flower
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
cheeredverbUS /tʃɪrd/
past form of “cheer” — give encouragement to
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
Clare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
Clare's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
containeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
the act of discovering something
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
dittynounUS /ˈdɪti/
a short simple song (or the words of a poem intended to be sung)
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
Elfie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
Elfie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
good-humour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
the sound of laughing
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
moodsnounUS /muːdz/
plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
PossibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
postmannounUS /ˈpoʊstmən/
a man who delivers the mail
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
with low volume
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
in a serious manner
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
snatchesnounUS /ˈsnætʃɪz/
plural of “snatch” — a small fragment
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
carry out
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
the upper part of anything
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
trillingnounUS /ˈtrɪlɪŋ/
United States literary critic (1905-1975)
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
unfailingadjectiveUS /ənˈfeɪlɪŋ/
not liable to failure
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
not known
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
precisely as stated
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
which person or people
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
