used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading And, be it known, Tess and Dot were preparing to do some “entertaining” on their own account.
Agnes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Hence the whispers and the hiding away in the cubby hole.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading There were whisperings in the “cubby hole” beneath the front stairs.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
conspiringverbUS /kənˈspaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “conspire” — engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
cubbynoun
a small secluded room
From this reading There were whisperings in the “cubby hole” beneath the front stairs.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading And, be it known, Tess and Dot were preparing to do some “entertaining” on their own account.
DotnounUS /dɑːt/
a very small circular shape
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
entertainingadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnɪŋ/
agreeably diverting
From this reading And, be it known, Tess and Dot were preparing to do some “entertaining” on their own account.
divisible by two
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
favoritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading There were whisperings in the “cubby hole” beneath the front stairs.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
for this reason
From this reading Hence the whispers and the hiding away in the cubby hole.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading Hence the whispers and the hiding away in the cubby hole.
an opening into or through something
From this reading There were whisperings in the “cubby hole” beneath the front stairs.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were whisperings in the “cubby hole” beneath the front stairs.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And, be it known, Tess and Dot were preparing to do some “entertaining” on their own account.
Kenway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading And, be it known, Tess and Dot were preparing to do some “entertaining” on their own account.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
come together
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
Nally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And, be it known, Tess and Dot were preparing to do some “entertaining” on their own account.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading And, be it known, Tess and Dot were preparing to do some “entertaining” on their own account.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading And, be it known, Tess and Dot were preparing to do some “entertaining” on their own account.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading There were whisperings in the “cubby hole” beneath the front stairs.
Tess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There were whisperings in the “cubby hole” beneath the front stairs.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were whisperings in the “cubby hole” beneath the front stairs.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But there was small danger of this, for the older Corner House girls were preparing to entertain their two Boston guests that evening by inviting in other friends to meet Nally and Hal.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were whisperings in the “cubby hole” beneath the front stairs.
whisperings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were whisperings in the “cubby hole” beneath the front stairs.
whispersnounUS /ˈwɪspərz/
plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading Hence the whispers and the hiding away in the cubby hole.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This was a favorite conspiring place for Tess and Dot, and the two small Kenway girls were even now in that retreat, lowering their voices so they would not be heard by Ruth and Agnes.
