used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Why, my child?" asked her mother.
for the reason that
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
an occurrence of something
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
a young person of either sex
From this reading "Why, my child?" asked her mother.
ContainsverbUS /kənˈteɪnz/
third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
a female human offspring
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
remove the dust from
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
dust-brush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
Emma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
divisible by two
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
FITLYadverb
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
of great significance or value
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
a unit of instruction
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
engage in
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "Why, my child?" asked her mother.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Why, my child?" asked her mother.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
pausingverbUS /ˈpɔːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
a full supply
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
on a floor above
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
precisely as stated
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
a Caucasian
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why, my child?" asked her mother.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
in the company of; together with
From this reading Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, pausing on her way upstairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day.
the words that are spoken
From this reading "WORDS FITLY SPOKEN" Every Story Contains an Important Lesson "I wish I were a princess!"
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "That is a very foolish wish, my daughter, but even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity."
