used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
alenounUS /eɪl/
a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the United States an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
assortmentnounUS /əˈsɔːrtmənt/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It started at seven, with cocktails.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
Brennan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
build-it-yourself
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
canapés
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
celebrantsnounUS /ˈseləbrənts/
plural of “celebrant” — a person who is celebrating
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
celebratedadjectiveUS /ˈseləbreɪtɪd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
cocktailsnounUS /ˈkɑːkteɪlz/
plural of “cocktail” — a short mixed drink
From this reading It started at seven, with cocktails.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
fifthnounUS /fɪfθ/
a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading James Quincy Holden was five years old.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
geigernounUS /ˈɡaɪɡər/
German physicist who developed the Geiger counter (1882-1945)
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
gingernounUS /ˈdʒɪndʒər/
perennial plants having thick branching aromatic rhizomes and leafy reedlike stems
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
Holden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Quincy Holden was five years old.
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
hordenounUS /hɔːrd/
a vast multitude
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
identifyverbUS /aɪˈdentəfaɪ/
recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It started at seven, with cocktails.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading James Quincy Holden was five years old.
JunglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
JuniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
kidsnounUS /kɪdz/
plural of “kid” — a young person of either sex
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
Kipling's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
kitnounUS /kɪt/
a case for containing a set of articles
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
mineralsnounUS /ˈmɪnərəlz/
plural of “mineral” — solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
nibbledverbUS /ˈnɪbəld/
past form of “nibble” — bite off very small pieces
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
noisyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪzi/
full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading James Quincy Holden was five years old.
the local environment
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
PlanetariumnounUS /ˌplænəˈteriəm/
a building housing an instrument for projecting the positions of the planets onto a domed ceiling
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
QuincynounUS /ˈkwɪnsi/
American patriot who presented the colonists' grievances to the English king (1744-1775)
From this reading James Quincy Holden was five years old.
radioactiveadjectiveUS /ˌreɪdioʊˈæktɪv/
exhibiting or caused by radioactivity
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading It started at seven, with cocktails.
sippedverbUS /sɪpt/
inflected form of “sip” — drink in sips
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
SpitznounUS /spɪts/
any of various stocky heavy-coated breeds of dogs native to northern regions having pointed muzzles and erect ears with a curled furry tail
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It started at seven, with cocktails.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading James Quincy Holden was five years old.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's _Jungle Tales_, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It started at seven, with cocktails.
a late time of life
From this reading James Quincy Holden was five years old.
