used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
(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 That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
for the reason that
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
Byington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading He has all her charm and her willfulness, with the iron will and talent of his father.
clappedverbUS /klæpt/
inflected form of “clap” — put quickly or forcibly
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
explainingverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He has all her charm and her willfulness, with the iron will and talent of his father.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He has all her charm and her willfulness, with the iron will and talent of his father.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
high-metaled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading He has all her charm and her willfulness, with the iron will and talent of his father.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
Lucia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
a female domestic
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
oddsnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The minute I clapped my eyes on him I knew all about him, having known his father and mother.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
painsnounUS /peɪnz/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
quiltingnounUS /ˈkwɪltɪŋ/
stitching through layers of fabric and a filling so as to create a design
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
SarahnounUS /ˈserə/
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
scapegracenoun
a reckless and unprincipled reprobate
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
a male human offspring
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
express a supposition
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading He has all her charm and her willfulness, with the iron will and talent of his father.
express in words
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I've had a long letter from Lucia Byington," she said to my grandmother, "explaining that precious scapegrace of a son of hers, but I can tell Lucia she might have spared herself the pains.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That afternoon we were all quilting at our house and Miss Sarah was pleased enough to give an account of her guest.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading He has all her charm and her willfulness, with the iron will and talent of his father.
willfulnessnoun
the trait of being prone to disobedience and lack of discipline
From this reading He has all her charm and her willfulness, with the iron will and talent of his father.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He has all her charm and her willfulness, with the iron will and talent of his father.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I suppose, because I'm an old maid, I can't understand why a man can't bring up a high-metaled son, exactly like himself, without being at odds with him.
