Chapter III · A Real Alarm

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

a formal organization of people or groups of people

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

relating to or befitting athletics or athletes

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

a large gathering of people of a particular type

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

an informal term for a British policeman

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Laura and her dearest friend, Josephine Morse, were welcomed vociferously by many of the waiting girls.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

a beloved person; used as terms of endearment

From this reading Laura and her dearest friend, Josephine Morse, were welcomed vociferously by many of the waiting girls.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Laura and her dearest friend, Josephine Morse, were welcomed vociferously by many of the waiting girls.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

a marketplace where groceries are sold

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

a reckless impetuous irresponsible person

From this reading Indeed, there was no opportunity to speak privately to Miss Harum-scarum.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Laura and her dearest friend, Josephine Morse, were welcomed vociferously by many of the waiting girls.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, there was no opportunity to speak privately to Miss Harum-scarum.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Laura and her dearest friend, Josephine Morse, were welcomed vociferously by many of the waiting girls.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Laura and her dearest friend, Josephine Morse, were welcomed vociferously by many of the waiting girls.

the act of tarrying

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Laura and her dearest friend, Josephine Morse, were welcomed vociferously by many of the waiting girls.

come together

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Indeed, there was no opportunity to speak privately to Miss Harum-scarum.

a telegraph code in which letters and numbers are represented by strings of dots and dashes (short and long signals)

From this reading Laura and her dearest friend, Josephine Morse, were welcomed vociferously by many of the waiting girls.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

not any; not one

From this reading Indeed, there was no opportunity to speak privately to Miss Harum-scarum.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Indeed, there was no opportunity to speak privately to Miss Harum-scarum.

approval to do something

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

a porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered and often columned area

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

kept private or confined to those intimately concerned

From this reading Indeed, there was no opportunity to speak privately to Miss Harum-scarum.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

an educational institution

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

express in speech

From this reading Indeed, there was no opportunity to speak privately to Miss Harum-scarum.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

plural of “teacher” — a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

express in words

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Indeed, there was no opportunity to speak privately to Miss Harum-scarum.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

in a vociferous manner

From this reading Laura and her dearest friend, Josephine Morse, were welcomed vociferously by many of the waiting girls.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Laura and her dearest friend, Josephine Morse, were welcomed vociferously by many of the waiting girls.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Mr. Sharp had given permission for the girls interested in the formation of the athletic association to meet in the small hall—“the music room” it was called,—on the third floor of the building, next to the suite given up to the teachers’ offices and studies.

past form of “welcome” — accept gladly

From this reading Laura and her dearest friend, Josephine Morse, were welcomed vociferously by many of the waiting girls.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading A bevy of girls were lingering on the steps and in the portico of the High School building.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Among them was Bobby Hargrew, but Laura did not tell her of the result of her practical joke in the window of the grocery store.