used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
Agnes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
arightadverb
in an accurate manner
From this reading "A canal boat?" murmured Ruth, as if she had not heard aright.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "A canal boat?" murmured Ruth, as if she had not heard aright.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
(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 "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading "A canal boat?" murmured Ruth, as if she had not heard aright.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
canalnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading "A canal boat?" murmured Ruth, as if she had not heard aright.
courtroomnounUS /ˈkɔːrtruːm/
a room in which a lawcourt sits
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
DotnounUS /dɑːt/
a very small circular shape
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
guardiannounUS /ˈɡɑːrdiən/
a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "A canal boat?" murmured Ruth, as if she had not heard aright.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading "A canal boat?" murmured Ruth, as if she had not heard aright.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
HOUSEBOATnounUS /ˈhaʊsboʊt/
a barge that is designed and equipped for use as a dwelling
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
Howbridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "A canal boat?" murmured Ruth, as if she had not heard aright.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
MinervanounUS /məˈnɜːrvə/
(Roman mythology) goddess of wisdom; counterpart of Greek Athena
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
a particular point in time
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly
From this reading "A canal boat?" murmured Ruth, as if she had not heard aright.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "A canal boat?" murmured Ruth, as if she had not heard aright.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
and nothing more
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
by chance
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
purrverbUS /pɜːr/
make a soft swishing sound
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
qualifyverbUS /ˈkwɑːləfaɪ/
prove capable or fit; meet requirements
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
rubbernounUS /ˈrʌbər/
an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "A canal boat?" murmured Ruth, as if she had not heard aright.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
suctionnounUS /ˈsʌkʃən/
a force over an area produced by a pressure difference
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
Tess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOUSEBOAT Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
tiresnounUS /ˈtaɪərz/
plural of “tire” — hoop that covers a wheel
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Perhaps I had better qualify that statement," went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, "by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
