used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
courtesynounUS /ˈkɜːrtəsi/
a courteous or respectful or considerate act
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
daintilyadverbUS /ˈdeɪntəliː/
in a dainty and fastidious manner
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
Dear-my-soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
DecorationnounUS /ˌdekərˈeɪʃən/
something used to beautify
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
editionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
friskedverbUS /frɪskt/
past form of “frisk” — play boisterously
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
an opening into or through something
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
staying power
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
mauveadjectiveUS /mɔːv/
of a pale to moderate greyish violet color
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
merrilyadverbUS /ˈmerəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
micenounUS /maɪs/
plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
moonbeamnounUS /ˈmuːnbiːm/
a ray of moonlight
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
mousenounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
nowadaysnounUS /ˈnaʊədeɪz/
the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
printnounUS /prɪnt/
the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
cut with a saw
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
scamperedverbUS /ˈskæmpərd/
past form of “scamper” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
Scribner's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
the state of being asleep
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The clock stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve mouse came from the hole in the chimney corner and frisked and scampered in the light of the moonbeam upon the floor.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading "Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how different mice are nowadays from the mice we used to have in the good old times!
precisely as stated
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The little mauve mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she danced upon two legs and sometimes upon four legs, but always very daintily and always very merrily.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Through the courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons, we were permitted to print this small private edition.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading [Decoration] Whilst you were sleeping, little Dear-my-soul, strange things happened; but that I saw and heard them, I should never have believed them.
