used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
AllennounUS /ˈælən/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading But nobody in the Allen house that evening bothered to listen to him.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
announceverbUS /əˈnaʊns/
make known; make an announcement
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
react verbally
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
atlasnounUS /ˈætləs/
(Greek mythology) a Titan who was forced by Zeus to bear the sky on his shoulders
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
BOOBYnounUS /ˈbuːbi/
an ignorant or foolish person
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
botheredadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːðərd/
caused to show discomposure
From this reading But nobody in the Allen house that evening bothered to listen to him.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But nobody in the Allen house that evening bothered to listen to him.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
contriveverbUS /kənˈtraɪv/
make or work out a plan for; devise
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
crumpledadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌmpəld/
of metal e.g.
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
cuckoonounUS /ˈkʌkuː/
a man who is a stupid incompetent fool
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
divisible by two
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading But nobody in the Allen house that evening bothered to listen to him.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
fittingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/
in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
happilyadverbUS /ˈhæpəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But nobody in the Allen house that evening bothered to listen to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
Holt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But nobody in the Allen house that evening bothered to listen to him.
housecoatnoun
a loose dressing gown for women
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But nobody in the Allen house that evening bothered to listen to him.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
leafingnounUS /ˈliːfɪŋ/
(botany) the process of forming leaves
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
liningnounUS /ˈlaɪnɪŋ/
a protective covering that protects an inside surface
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
hear with intention
From this reading But nobody in the Allen house that evening bothered to listen to him.
litternounUS /ˈlɪtər/
the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
meerschaumnoun
a white clayey mineral
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
MomnounUS /mɑːm/
informal terms for a mother
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
no person; not anyone
From this reading But nobody in the Allen house that evening bothered to listen to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
PopverbUS /pɑːp/
bulge outward
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
ribbonsnounUS /ˈrɪbənz/
plural of “ribbon” — any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
rustlingnounUS /ˈrʌslɪŋ/
the stealing of cattle
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
smoke-screening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
caught or fixed
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
confined on all sides
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
very small
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
TRAPnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
unawareadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈwer/
(often followed by “of”) not aware
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading BOOBY TRAP The cuckoo stuck his head out of the old wall clock to announce that the hour of seven had arrived.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In her lap lay the iron box, and her fingers were already busy fitting together the bits of velvet with which she was lining it.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Pop was smoke-screening the room with a handsome new meerschaum that Richard Holt had brought him from Europe, and happily leafing through a huge new world atlas that had so far provided an answer for every question he could contrive.
wrappings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tiny Mom Allen, in a rustling new housecoat, appeared unaware of even the wild litter of crumpled paper wrappings and ribbons that surrounded her.
