used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
anew
From this reading Mr. St. Nick!" greeted his ears, "here you all are and here I am back again."
(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 AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Mr. St. Nick!" greeted his ears, "here you all are and here I am back again."
amiableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mr. St. Nick!" greeted his ears, "here you all are and here I am back again."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Mr. St. Nick!" greeted his ears, "here you all are and here I am back again."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
braidsnounUS /breɪdz/
plural of “braid” — a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
clutchedverbUS /klʌtʃt/
past form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "Well, well, well," cried Mr. Pinckney as welcoming shouts of "Mr. St. Nick!
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
dawningnounUS /ˈdɔːnɪŋ/
the first light of day
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Mr. St. Nick!" greeted his ears, "here you all are and here I am back again."
ENCOUNTERverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
escapingverbUS /ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/
-ing form of “escape” — run away from confinement
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading Mr. St. Nick!" greeted his ears, "here you all are and here I am back again."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
hailedverbUS /heɪld/
past form of “hail” — praise vociferously
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Mr. St. Nick!" greeted his ears, "here you all are and here I am back again."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Mr. St. Nick!" greeted his ears, "here you all are and here I am back again."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
a small worthless amount
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
a form of address for a man
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
NickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading "Well, well, well," cried Mr. Pinckney as welcoming shouts of "Mr. St. Nick!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
orderlynounUS /ˈɔːrdərli/
a soldier who serves as an attendant to a superior officer
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
Pinckney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
ribbonsnounUS /ˈrɪbənz/
plural of “ribbon” — any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
rotundadjectiveUS /roʊˈtʌnd/
spherical in shape
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
done under pressure
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading "Well, well, well," cried Mr. Pinckney as welcoming shouts of "Mr. St. Nick!
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, well, well," cried Mr. Pinckney as welcoming shouts of "Mr. St. Nick!
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
tallestadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːlɪst/
superlative of “tall” — great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
tumultuouslyadverb
in a tumultuous and riotous manner
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
unrulyadjectiveUS /ənˈruːli/
noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
accept gladly
From this reading To see his rotund figure approaching, to see the smile dawning upon his pleasant face as the four tumultuously rushed to welcome him was enough to warm the heart of a less amiable individual.
welcomingadjectiveUS /ˈwelkəmɪŋ/
very cordial
From this reading "Well, well, well," cried Mr. Pinckney as welcoming shouts of "Mr. St. Nick!
(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, well, well," cried Mr. Pinckney as welcoming shouts of "Mr. St. Nick!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
belonging to which person
From this reading Nan, with her long dark braids swinging, was in the lead, she being the tallest; Jack never failed to be a close second as she pushed her unruly locks from her eyes or clutched an escaping hair ribbon; Mary Lee, neat and orderly came next, and little Jean, whose ribbons were always in place, brought up the rear.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER Mr. Pinckney had been away on a business trip to San Francisco and his return was hailed with joy by all the girls, Jack especially.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Mr. St. Nick!" greeted his ears, "here you all are and here I am back again."
