used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
Alice's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
ascertainverbUS /ˌæsərˈteɪn/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
cradlenounUS /ˈkreɪdəl/
a baby bed with sides and rockers
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading First there was the sound as of some one dancing in the dark passage.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading First there was the sound as of some one dancing in the dark passage.
disturbancenounUS /dɪˈstɜːrbəns/
activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First there was the sound as of some one dancing in the dark passage.
FURBUSH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAL FURBUSH.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
Grundy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
harsheradjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrʃər/
comparative of “harsh” — unpleasantly stern
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
Mary'snounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading First there was the sound as of some one dancing in the dark passage.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading First there was the sound as of some one dancing in the dark passage.
peals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
determined
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
rockingverbUS /ˈrɑːkɪŋ/
-ing form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
past form of “rouse” — become active
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
SAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAL FURBUSH.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
snatchesnounUS /ˈsnætʃɪz/
plural of “snatch” — a small fragment
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading First there was the sound as of some one dancing in the dark passage.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
in the near future
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading First there was the sound as of some one dancing in the dark passage.
subsidedverbUS /səbˈsaɪdɪd/
past form of “subside” — wear off or die down
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
in or at that place or location
From this reading First there was the sound as of some one dancing in the dark passage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and around the house.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the disturbance, which had now subsided.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below, and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's harsher tones.
