used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Here until half-past eight the boys could play any game they chose.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
BEHINDprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading LEFT BEHIND.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
boisterousadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪstərəs/
noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Here until half-past eight the boys could play any game they chose.
buffnounUS /bʌf/
an ardent follower and admirer
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
chalknounUS /tʃɔːk/
A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading Here until half-past eight the boys could play any game they chose.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Here until half-past eight the boys could play any game they chose.
Cuckoo'snounUS /ˈkuːkuːz/
possessive form of “cuckoo” — a man who is a stupid incompetent fool
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
cyclonenounUS /sɪˈkloʊn/
(meteorology) rapid inward circulation of air masses about a low pressure center; circling counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
being one more than seven
From this reading Here until half-past eight the boys could play any game they chose.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
EVERYdeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
start firing a weapon
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Here until half-past eight the boys could play any game they chose.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here until half-past eight the boys could play any game they chose.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here until half-past eight the boys could play any game they chose.
Hop-scotch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
kindledadjectiveUS /ˈkɪndəld/
set afire
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading LEFT BEHIND.
LloydnounUS /lɔɪd/
United States comic actor in silent films; he used physical danger as a source of comedy (1893-1971)
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
MollynounUS /ˈmɑːli/
popular aquarium fish
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
not any; not one
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Here until half-past eight the boys could play any game they chose.
ragnounUS /ræɡ/
a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
rainsnounUS /reɪnz/
plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
reproofnoun
an act or expression of criticism and censure
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
possessing sweep
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
tagverbUS /tæɡ/
attach a tag or label to
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here until half-past eight the boys could play any game they chose.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
tumbleverbUS /ˈtʌmbəl/
fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Here until half-past eight the boys could play any game they chose.
upsetverbUS /əpˈset/
disturb the balance or stability of
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading EVERY evening for a week, at the Cuckoo's Nest, a fire had been kindled on the sitting-room hearth, for the autumn rains made the nights chilly.
at the time that
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Lloyd wondered sometimes that the roof did not tumble in around their ears when she and Betty and Molly joined the five boys in a game of blind man's buff.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Hop-scotch left chalk marks on the new rag carpet, and tag upset the furniture as if a cyclone had swept through the room, but never a word of reproof interrupted their sport, no matter how boisterous.
