used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
in actual fact
From this reading Indeed, even before they're much better of whooping-cough they're often sent away, for change of air helps actually to cure it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
any thing at all
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Indeed, even before they're much better of whooping-cough they're often sent away, for change of air helps actually to cure it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Indeed, even before they're much better of whooping-cough they're often sent away, for change of air helps actually to cure it.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
children's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
COINCIDENCEnounUS /koʊˈɪnsɪdəns/
an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
cureverbUS /kjʊr/
provide a cure for, make healthy again
From this reading Indeed, even before they're much better of whooping-cough they're often sent away, for change of air helps actually to cure it.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Very jolly things generally do have pull-backs, I think.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
divisible by two
From this reading Indeed, even before they're much better of whooping-cough they're often sent away, for change of air helps actually to cure it.
at any time
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
every person
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
usually; as a rule
From this reading Very jolly things generally do have pull-backs, I think.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
helpsnounUS /helps/
plural of “help” — the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Indeed, even before they're much better of whooping-cough they're often sent away, for change of air helps actually to cure it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Very jolly things generally do have pull-backs, I think.
IF'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
illnessesnounUS /ˈɪlnəsɪz/
plural of “illness” — impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed, even before they're much better of whooping-cough they're often sent away, for change of air helps actually to cure it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
jollyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːli/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Very jolly things generally do have pull-backs, I think.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Indeed, even before they're much better of whooping-cough they're often sent away, for change of air helps actually to cure it.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
nicestadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪsɪst/
superlative of “nice” — pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Indeed, even before they're much better of whooping-cough they're often sent away, for change of air helps actually to cure it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
pull-backs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
express in words
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading Indeed, even before they're much better of whooping-cough they're often sent away, for change of air helps actually to cure it.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
they're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
a special situation
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Very jolly things generally do have pull-backs, I think.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Very jolly things generally do have pull-backs, I think.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
precisely as stated
From this reading Very jolly things generally do have pull-backs, I think.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
at the time that
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
which person or people
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
whooping-cough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody who knows anything about children's illnesses knows that when they're getting better they should have change of air, especially after whooping-cough.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading FOUR 'IF'S' AND A COINCIDENCE Now what happened next was this--in one way it was almost the nicest thing that we had ever had; that is to say, it would have been but for the pull-backs to it.
