used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
(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 The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
beautifullyadverbUS /ˈbjuːtəfli/
in a beautiful manner
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
a long seat for more than one person
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
blossomsnounUS /ˈblɑːsəmz/
plural of “blossom” — reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts
From this reading They merely seated themselves upon the ground and sniffed luxuriously at jasmine and heliotrope blossoms.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
circularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/
having the shape or form of a circle
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
convalescentnounUS /ˌkɑːnvəˈlesənt/
a person who is recovering from illness
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
dancesnounUS /ˈdænsəz/
plural of “dance” — an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
distractverbUS /dɪˈstrækt/
draw someone's attention away from something
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
elaborateadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbrət/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
embroideredverbUS /emˈbrɔɪdərd/
past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
exertverbUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrt/
put to use
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading They merely seated themselves upon the ground and sniffed luxuriously at jasmine and heliotrope blossoms.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
heliotropenounUS /ˈhiːliətroʊp/
green chalcedony with red spots that resemble blood
From this reading They merely seated themselves upon the ground and sniffed luxuriously at jasmine and heliotrope blossoms.
the act of retaining something
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
instrumentsnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənts/
plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
jasminenounUS /ˈdʒæzmən/
any of several shrubs and vines of the genus Jasminum chiefly native to Asia
From this reading They merely seated themselves upon the ground and sniffed luxuriously at jasmine and heliotrope blossoms.
juggleverbUS /ˈdʒʌɡəl/
influence by slyness
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
lackedverbUS /lækt/
past form of “lack” — be without
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
luxuriouslyadverb
in an indulgently luxurious manner
From this reading They merely seated themselves upon the ground and sniffed luxuriously at jasmine and heliotrope blossoms.
and nothing more
From this reading They merely seated themselves upon the ground and sniffed luxuriously at jasmine and heliotrope blossoms.
mouthpiecesnounUS /ˈmaʊθpiːsɪz/
plural of “mouthpiece” — a part that goes over or into the mouth of a person
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
musicaladjectiveUS /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/
characterized by or capable of producing music
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
not any; not one
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
performersnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmərz/
plural of “performer” — an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
RatsnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading They merely seated themselves upon the ground and sniffed luxuriously at jasmine and heliotrope blossoms.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
Smaly's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
sniffedverbUS /snɪft/
past form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose
From this reading They merely seated themselves upon the ground and sniffed luxuriously at jasmine and heliotrope blossoms.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
not in physical motion
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
stuffsnounUS /stʌfs/
plural of “stuff” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
tennisnounUS /ˈtenəs/
a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
precisely as stated
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
