used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
(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 “Hi, there!” hailed Pep, while Randy waved his hand gaily and all hurried their gait.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
the two together, not just one
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
at any time
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
expandingverbUS /ɪkˈspændɪŋ/
-ing form of “expand” — extend in one or more directions
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
extendingverbUS /ɪkˈstendɪŋ/
-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
gailyadverbUS /ˈɡeɪli/
in a gay manner
From this reading “Hi, there!” hailed Pep, while Randy waved his hand gaily and all hurried their gait.
gaitnounUS /ɡeɪt/
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading “Hi, there!” hailed Pep, while Randy waved his hand gaily and all hurried their gait.
genialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒiːnjəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
hailedverbUS /heɪld/
past form of “hail” — praise vociferously
From this reading “Hi, there!” hailed Pep, while Randy waved his hand gaily and all hurried their gait.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
helpernounUS /ˈhelpər/
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
HinounUS /haɪ/
an expression of greeting
From this reading “Hi, there!” hailed Pep, while Randy waved his hand gaily and all hurried their gait.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading “Hi, there!” hailed Pep, while Randy waved his hand gaily and all hurried their gait.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The other reached into the wagon.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
JollyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːli/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
jolly-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
old-timeadjective
attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic)
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The other reached into the wagon.
PepnounUS /pep/
liveliness and energy
From this reading “Hi, there!” hailed Pep, while Randy waved his hand gaily and all hurried their gait.
RandyadjectiveUS /ˈrændi/
feeling great sexual desire
From this reading “Hi, there!” hailed Pep, while Randy waved his hand gaily and all hurried their gait.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The other reached into the wagon.
recognizingverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “recognize” — accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
sprightlyadjectiveUS /ˈspraɪtli/
full of spirit and vitality
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Hi, there!” hailed Pep, while Randy waved his hand gaily and all hurried their gait.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Instantly upon recognizing their old-time friend and helper the three chums started in his direction.
any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading The other reached into the wagon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
accept gladly
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an expanding smile of welcome, extending both hands and greeting his friends in turn.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “Hi, there!” hailed Pep, while Randy waved his hand gaily and all hurried their gait.
whistlernounUS /ˈwɪslər/
United States painter (1834-1903)
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE BIRD HOUSE Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking than ever, for he waved his hand with a genial smile to the children staring down the side street after the whistler.
