used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Well, I never!" she remarked, turning the envelope over and over before opening it.
appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "Well, I never!" she remarked, turning the envelope over and over before opening it.
boilernounUS /ˈbɔɪlər/
sealed vessel where water is converted to steam
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The children were out.
clothing in general
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
doubtfullyadverb
in a doubtful manner
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
destroyed or killed
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Well, I never!" she remarked, turning the envelope over and over before opening it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
go away from a place
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
Mulvaney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "Well, I never!" she remarked, turning the envelope over and over before opening it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading "Well, I never!" she remarked, turning the envelope over and over before opening it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The children were out.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "Well, I never!" she remarked, turning the envelope over and over before opening it.
pokedverbUS /poʊkt/
past form of “poke” — poke or thrust abruptly
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
postmannounUS /ˈpoʊstmən/
a man who delivers the mail
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "Well, I never!" she remarked, turning the envelope over and over before opening it.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
Sally'snounUS /ˈsæliz/
possessive form of “sally” — witty remark
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
express in words
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Well, I never!" she remarked, turning the envelope over and over before opening it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading "Well, I never!" she remarked, turning the envelope over and over before opening it.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
unwillingadjectiveUS /ənˈwɪlɪŋ/
not disposed or inclined toward
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
wash-tubs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
(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 "Well, I never!" she remarked, turning the envelope over and over before opening it.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The children were out.
at the time that
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Both stared doubtfully at the envelope, the postman appearing unwilling to leave the letter, while Mrs. Mulvaney was equally uncertain of her right to it.
which person or people
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading When the postman was gone their mother put a stick of wood in the kitchen stove, poked the clothes in the boiler, glanced at the wash-tubs, then went in the Other Room.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading SOMETHING HAPPENED It would be hard to say who was more surprised by Sally's letter, the postman or Mrs. Mulvaney.
