used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TROPICAL STORM Two or three days passed without incident.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
bedchambernounUS /ˈbedtʃeɪmbər/
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The hut was delightfully cool both by day and night.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading The hut was delightfully cool both by day and night.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The hut was delightfully cool both by day and night.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A TROPICAL STORM Two or three days passed without incident.
recognizable; marked
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
delightfullyadverbUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəli/
in a delightful manner
From this reading The hut was delightfully cool both by day and night.
desertingverbUS /ˈdezərtɪŋ/
-ing form of “desert” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
footprintsnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnts/
plural of “footprint” — a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
set up or found
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
temporary military shelter
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
a single distinct event
From this reading A TROPICAL STORM Two or three days passed without incident.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
matsnounUS /mæts/
plural of “mat” — a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
neglectingverbUS /nɪˈɡlektɪŋ/
-ing form of “neglect” — leave undone or leave out
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
not any; not one
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A TROPICAL STORM Two or three days passed without incident.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A TROPICAL STORM Two or three days passed without incident.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
punishingadjectiveUS /ˈpʌnɪʃɪŋ/
resulting in punishment
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading They found their new quarters so much more easy and comfortable that they decided to use the boat no more as a bedchamber, and thought they had been silly in not deserting it before.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading A TROPICAL STORM Two or three days passed without incident.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading A TROPICAL STORM Two or three days passed without incident.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
touchyadjectiveUS /ˈtʌtʃi/
quick to take offense
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
TROPICALadjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪkəl/
relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)
From this reading A TROPICAL STORM Two or three days passed without incident.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A TROPICAL STORM Two or three days passed without incident.
the act of using
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The hut was delightfully cool both by day and night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The elder girls in their heart of hearts were becoming convinced that the footprints must have been those of an animal; but Tommy had shown herself so touchy on that point that they never told her what they thought.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the return of their confidence they began to think that they were punishing themselves by neglecting to use the hut, and one night they ventured to sleep in it for the first time, lying on their grass mats, with pillows of grass and dried leaves.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A TROPICAL STORM Two or three days passed without incident.
