used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
(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 With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
arpeggios
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
Beasley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
BrownenounUS /braʊn/
English illustrator of several of Dickens' novels (1815-1882)
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
calculatedadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪd/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
classicaladjectiveUS /ˈklæsɪkəl/
of or relating to the first significant period of a civilization, culture, area of study, etc.
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
increase twofold
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
at any time
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
apart from; not including
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
executionnounUS /ˌeksəˈkjuːʃən/
putting a condemned person to death
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
forty-fivenounUS /ˈfɔːrtifaɪv/
a .45-caliber pistol
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
FossilnounUS /ˈfɑːsəl/
someone whose style is out of fashion
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
GrangenounUS /ɡreɪndʒ/
an outlying farm
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
hammersnounUS /ˈhæmərz/
plural of “hammer” — the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
only a very short time before
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
HuntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
instrumentsnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənts/
plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
lessonsnounUS /ˈlesənz/
plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
managementnounUS /ˈmænədʒmənt/
the act of managing something
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
mealsnounUS /miːlz/
plural of “meal” — the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
a form of address for a man
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
an amount of time
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
practising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
pupilsnounUS /ˈpjuːpəlz/
plural of “pupil” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/
something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
scalesnounUS /skeɪlz/
plural of “scale” — an ordered reference standard
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
an educational institution
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
selectionnounUS /səˈlekʃən/
the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
snapverbUS /snæp/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
stringsnounUS /strɪŋz/
the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
strummingverbUS /ˈstrʌmɪŋ/
inflected form of “strum” — sound the strings of (a stringed instrument)
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
thumpingnounUS /ˈθʌmpɪŋ/
a heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects)
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
time-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
twenty-twonounUS /ˈtwentituː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-one and one
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
two times
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
visitingnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making visits
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
be dressed in
From this reading At seven o'clock they began with scales, arpeggios, and studies, and passed during the day through a selection of pieces, classical and modern, in such various degrees of playing, strumming, and thumping as might be calculated to wear out their hammers and snap their strings in double quick time.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were five instruments at the Grange, and, except during the hours of morning lessons and meals, they hardly ever seemed to be silent.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
which person or people
From this reading About half of the girls learned from Mademoiselle, and the remainder had lessons from Mr. Browne, a visiting master who came twice a week to the school.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the exception of four, all the girls learned music, and therefore, for a period of forty-five minutes daily, each of these twenty-two pupils must do execution on the piano.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Fossil Hunters If Miss Beasley had been asked what was her most difficult problem in the management of her school, she would probably have replied the arrangement of the practising time-table.
