used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ELFIE TELLS A STORY.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
(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 All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
assistverbUS /əˈsɪst/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
deep-seatedadjective
(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
command with authority
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
ELFIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ELFIE TELLS A STORY.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
finesnounUS /faɪnz/
plural of “fine” — money extracted as a penalty
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Six of the girls were spending the Saturday mending-hour in Lily’s room.
hemnounUS /hem/
the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
hilariousadjectiveUS /hɪˈleriəs/
marked by or causing boisterous merriment or convulsive laughter
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Six of the girls were spending the Saturday mending-hour in Lily’s room.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
LilynounUS /ˈlɪli/
any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
Lily'snounUS /ˈlɪliːz/
possessive form of “lily” — any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading Six of the girls were spending the Saturday mending-hour in Lily’s room.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
mendingnounUS /ˈmendɪŋ/
garments that must be repaired
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
mending-hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six of the girls were spending the Saturday mending-hour in Lily’s room.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Six of the girls were spending the Saturday mending-hour in Lily’s room.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
prejudicenounUS /ˈpredʒədɪs/
a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
recitation-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
rentsnounUS /rents/
plural of “rent” — a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Six of the girls were spending the Saturday mending-hour in Lily’s room.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Six of the girls were spending the Saturday mending-hour in Lily’s room.
an educational institution
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
sewingnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Six of the girls were spending the Saturday mending-hour in Lily’s room.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
small or little relative to something else
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
solemnlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːləmli/
in a grave and sedate manner
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
spendingnounUS /ˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading Six of the girls were spending the Saturday mending-hour in Lily’s room.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
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 ELFIE TELLS A STORY.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
teachersnounUS /ˈtiːtʃərz/
plural of “teacher” — a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading ELFIE TELLS A STORY.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Six of the girls were spending the Saturday mending-hour in Lily’s room.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
three-sidedadjective
having three sides
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
unwrittenadjectiveUS /ənˈrɪtən/
based on custom rather than documentation
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
precisely as stated
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All the girls in the school were required to spend that one hour in sewing, and as rents and holes were subject to fines and bad marks it became an unwritten law that the hour was to be spent in mending.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Six of the girls were spending the Saturday mending-hour in Lily’s room.
a Caucasian
From this reading “It is not a hilarious pursuit,” said Lily, looking solemnly at a three-sided tear above the hem of a clean white skirt, “and I am very sorry that there seems to be such a deep-seated prejudice against the Chinese.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The little girls were expected to do their mending in the smaller recitation-room, with one of the teachers to direct and assist them, but the larger ones were allowed to work in their rooms.
