used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you.
react verbally
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
Bett-Bett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
broodyadjectiveUS /ˈbruːdi/
physiologically ready to incubate eggs
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
chickensnounUS /ˈtʃɪkənz/
plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
dodgedverbUS /dɑːdʒd/
past form of “dodge” — make a sudden movement in a new direction so as to avoid
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
dodgingnounUS /ˈdɑːdʒɪŋ/
nonperformance of something distasteful (as by deceit or trickery) that you are supposed to do
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
eggnounUS /eɡ/
animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you.
a quad with a square body
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
the organ of sight
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
a boy or man
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you.
the act of departing
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
hatchverbUS /hætʃ/
emerge from the eggs
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
hennounUS /hen/
adult female chicken
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
hensnounUS /henz/
plural of “hen” — adult female chicken
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
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 Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
MissusnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
informal term of address for someone's wife
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
nailsnounUS /neɪlz/
plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
not any; not one
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
shriekedadjectiveUS /ʃriːkt/
uttered in a shrill scream as of pain or terror
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you.
singsongnoun
a regular and monotonous rising and falling intonation
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
not in physical motion
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
SueverbUS /suː/
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
tool-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you, shouted Bett-Bett in a singsong voice, as she and Sue dodged between an old broody hen and the tool-house.
walk-about
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
wastingnounUS /ˈweɪstɪŋ/
any general reduction in vitality and strength of body and mind resulting from a debilitating chronic disease
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
water-lilies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Come for a walk-about, Bett-Bett, I called; I am going to the Long Reach for some water-lilies. You eye, Missus, she shrieked in answer, still dodging and dancing after old broody.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
at the time that
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading As I went for my hat and revolver, I heard her shrill little voice up at its highest pitch inviting every one within hearing to come with us.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Bett-Bett had no patience with broody hens; she seemed to think they were wasting their time; particularly when, like this one, they would try to hatch chickens out of nails.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Go and lay em egg, silly fellow you.
