used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
(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 So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
for the reason that
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
BlairnounUS /bler/
British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
Blairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
botheredadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːðərd/
caused to show discomposure
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
BrownienounUS /ˈbraʊni/
a junior Girl Scout
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
a young person of either sex
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
convenientadjectiveUS /kənˈviːnjənt/
suited to your comfort or purpose or needs
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
a female human offspring
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading That, surely, wasn't man's work, he declared.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That, surely, wasn't man's work, he declared.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
a small worthless amount
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading That, surely, wasn't man's work, he declared.
Mildred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Five years old," she said to herself.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
cut with a saw
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
an educational institution
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading That, surely, wasn't man's work, he declared.
carry out
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wasn't a bit convenient for the Blairs, because Miss Betty was to give a luncheon for the older people, and Mildred had planned to go to town for the day; and, of course, Jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading So Brownie saw that she must entertain the small Helen all by herself, and she sat down to think what she should do for her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading That, surely, wasn't man's work, he declared.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading A DOLL-AND-LITTLE-GIRL PARTY Mother Blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day, and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her.
a late time of life
From this reading "Five years old," she said to herself.
