used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
birthstone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "Oh, I wouldn't wear an opal for worlds!" cried one superstitious girl.
distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
dreadfullyadverbUS /ˈdredfəli/
of a dreadful kind
From this reading "They're dreadfully unlucky."
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
FADnounUS /fæd/
an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
flashingnounUS /ˈflæʃɪŋ/
a short vivid experience
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
FreshmannounUS /ˈfreʃmən/
a first-year undergraduate
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
FUNDnounUS /fʌnd/
a reserve of money set aside for some purpose
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
gemnounUS /dʒem/
art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
a young female
From this reading "Oh, I wouldn't wear an opal for worlds!" cried one superstitious girl.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
intense and profound fear
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Oh, I wouldn't wear an opal for worlds!" cried one superstitious girl.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
Miggs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, I wouldn't wear an opal for worlds!" cried one superstitious girl.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Oh, I wouldn't wear an opal for worlds!" cried one superstitious girl.
opalnounUS /ˈoʊpəl/
a translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color; some varieties are used as gemstones
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
outcrynounUS /ˈaʊtkraɪ/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
an educational institution
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
superstitiousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃəs/
showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic or chance
From this reading "Oh, I wouldn't wear an opal for worlds!" cried one superstitious girl.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
They're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They're dreadfully unlucky."
a special situation
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
unheardadjectiveUS /ənˈhɜːrd/
not necessarily inaudible but not heard
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
unluckyadjectiveUS /ənˈlʌki/
having or bringing misfortune
From this reading "They're dreadfully unlucky."
WarwicknounUS /ˈwɔːrwɪk/
English statesman; during the War of the Roses he fought first for the house of York and secured the throne for Edward IV and then changed sides to fight for the house of Lancaster and secured the throne for Henry VI (1428-1471)
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A FAD AND A CHRISTMAS FUND For a Freshman to start a fad popular enough to spread through the entire school was an unheard of thing at Warwick Hall, but A.O. Miggs had that distinction early in the term.
look attentively
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
be dressed in
From this reading "Oh, I wouldn't wear an opal for worlds!" cried one superstitious girl.
at the time that
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
worldsnounUS /wɜːrldz/
plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading "Oh, I wouldn't wear an opal for worlds!" cried one superstitious girl.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I wouldn't wear an opal for worlds!" cried one superstitious girl.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Not if it is your birthstone," announced A.O., calmly turning her hand to watch the flashing of red and blue lights in the heart of the gem.
zodiacnounUS /ˈzoʊdiæk/
a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes
From this reading Her birthday was in October, and when she appeared that morning with a zodiac ring on her little finger, set with a brilliant fire opal, there was a mingled outcry of admiration and horror.
