used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But you didn’t send your parents a telegram, Lil!” put in Marjorie.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
a young person of either sex
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
a female human offspring
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But you didn’t send your parents a telegram, Lil!” put in Marjorie.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
drugverbUS /drʌɡ/
administer a drug to
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
a young female
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I never would think of sending a telegram!”
ice-cream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
Lil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But you didn’t send your parents a telegram, Lil!” put in Marjorie.
LilynounUS /ˈlɪli/
any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But you didn’t send your parents a telegram, Lil!” put in Marjorie.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “I never would think of sending a telegram!”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
and nothing more
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
over-worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading “But you didn’t send your parents a telegram, Lil!” put in Marjorie.
PEACHESnounUS /ˈpiːtʃəz/
plural of “peach” — cultivated in temperate regions
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
postaladjectiveUS /ˈpoʊstəl/
of or relating to the system for delivering mail
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “But you didn’t send your parents a telegram, Lil!” put in Marjorie.
QUESTnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
Rikers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
Ruth'snounUS /ruːθs/
possessive form of “ruth” — United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
ScoutsnounUS /skaʊts/
plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading “But you didn’t send your parents a telegram, Lil!” put in Marjorie.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading “I never would think of sending a telegram!”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
souvenirnounUS /ˌsuːvəˈnɪr/
something of sentimental value
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
spluttering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading “I never would think of sending a telegram!”
express in words
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “I never would think of sending a telegram!”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
at the time that
From this reading IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “I never would think of sending a telegram!”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “But you didn’t send your parents a telegram, Lil!” put in Marjorie.
