used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
adjustedadjectiveUS /əˈdʒʌstɪd/
altered to accommodate to certain requirements or bring into a proper relation
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
matters of personal concern
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
at or in the front
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
(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 He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
Betsey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
Dora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
divisible by two
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
an established custom
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WHICH IS WHICH?
go away from a place
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
Lockwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
by chance
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
a light shade of red
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
express in words
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
totsnounUS /tɑːts/
plural of “tot” — a small amount (especially of a drink)
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mr. Lockwood had a habit of getting out of difficulties in this way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading WHICH IS WHICH?
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But on this present occasion there was, perhaps, a special reason why he should tell his sister to go ahead, and leave the matter entirely with her and the twins themselves.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He frequently "washed his hands" of affairs, finding that they adjusted themselves somehow without his aid, after all.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
wristnounUS /rɪst/
a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
From this reading Aunt Dora claimed to be able to tell the girls apart--something that nobody, not even Mrs. Betsey, had been able to do since they were little tots and Dora had worn a blue ribbon on her wrist, and Dorothy a pink.
