used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
(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 "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
the act of breaking something
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
a young person of either sex
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
chinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
cleaningnounUS /ˈkliːnɪŋ/
the act of making something clean
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
dearly loved
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
remove the dust from
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
GriffinnounUS /ˈɡrɪfɪn/
winged monster with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
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 "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
Maggie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
engage in
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
informal terms for a mother
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
Maud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maud Platten visits the Shop.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
a form of address for a man
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
not any; not one
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
Platten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maud Platten visits the Shop.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
do one's shopping
From this reading Maud Platten visits the Shop.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
successive (without a break)
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Maud Platten visits the Shop.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
they're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
tidyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪdi/
marked by order and cleanliness in appearance or habits
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading "I can dust them for you, if you like," suggested the child; "I know how to dust, for I used to help mamma put the room tidy."
precisely as stated
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
visitsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading Maud Platten visits the Shop.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading "I've no time to dust the things," said the old man, with a smile; "they come and go too fast to make it worth while to clean them, let alone the risk of breaking them."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, no, thank you, my dear; they're best left as they are," replied old Griffin; "you're like all good women folk, fond of cleaning and putting things straight.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "How very dirty your china looks, Mr. Griffin," said Maggie, coming into the shop the next morning, "why don't you dust it?"
