used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE KING OF THE ONE-EYED FAIRIES Margaret Allen had just had a birthday.
AllennounUS /ˈælən/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading THE KING OF THE ONE-EYED FAIRIES Margaret Allen had just had a birthday.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
any thing at all
From this reading “Isn’t it just too sweet for anything!” cried Margaret clapping her hands with delight.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
auntienounUS /ˈænti/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Her auntie had given her a pretty new work-basket for a present.
beeswaxnoun
a yellow to brown wax secreted by honeybees to build honeycombs
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading THE KING OF THE ONE-EYED FAIRIES Margaret Allen had just had a birthday.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
clappingnounUS /ˈklæpɪŋ/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading “Isn’t it just too sweet for anything!” cried Margaret clapping her hands with delight.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Isn’t it just too sweet for anything!” cried Margaret clapping her hands with delight.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading “Isn’t it just too sweet for anything!” cried Margaret clapping her hands with delight.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
emery-bag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
FAIRIESnounUS /ˈferiz/
plural of “fairy” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading THE KING OF THE ONE-EYED FAIRIES Margaret Allen had just had a birthday.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her auntie had given her a pretty new work-basket for a present.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Her auntie had given her a pretty new work-basket for a present.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE KING OF THE ONE-EYED FAIRIES Margaret Allen had just had a birthday.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading “Isn’t it just too sweet for anything!” cried Margaret clapping her hands with delight.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her auntie had given her a pretty new work-basket for a present.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
Isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Isn’t it just too sweet for anything!” cried Margaret clapping her hands with delight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
and nothing more
From this reading THE KING OF THE ONE-EYED FAIRIES Margaret Allen had just had a birthday.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading THE KING OF THE ONE-EYED FAIRIES Margaret Allen had just had a birthday.
lemonnounUS /ˈlemən/
yellow oval fruit with juicy acidic flesh
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
a large number or amount
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
engage in
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING OF THE ONE-EYED FAIRIES Margaret Allen had just had a birthday.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
needle-book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Her auntie had given her a pretty new work-basket for a present.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE KING OF THE ONE-EYED FAIRIES Margaret Allen had just had a birthday.
ONE-EYEDadjectiveUS /ˌwʌˈnaɪd/
having or showing only one eye
From this reading THE KING OF THE ONE-EYED FAIRIES Margaret Allen had just had a birthday.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
a light shade of red
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Her auntie had given her a pretty new work-basket for a present.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Her auntie had given her a pretty new work-basket for a present.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
satinnounUS /ˈsætən/
a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
scissorsnounUS /ˈsɪzərz/
an edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
shapedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪpt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
spools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
story-books
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
strawberrynounUS /ˈstrɔːberi/
sweet fleshy red fruit
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading “Isn’t it just too sweet for anything!” cried Margaret clapping her hands with delight.
tapenounUS /teɪp/
a long thin piece of cloth or paper as used for binding or fastening
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE KING OF THE ONE-EYED FAIRIES Margaret Allen had just had a birthday.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
thimblenounUS /ˈθɪmbəl/
as much as a thimble will hold
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
very small
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “Isn’t it just too sweet for anything!” cried Margaret clapping her hands with delight.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Now if there really were fairies to help us, just as in the story-books, what lots of things I could make.
a Caucasian
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was lined with pink silk and in it was the dearest little needle-book of pink satin, an emery-bag shaped like a strawberry, a cunning pair of steel scissors, a silver thimble, several spools of black thread and white thread of different numbers, a tape measure, and beeswax shaped like a tiny lemon.
work-basket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her auntie had given her a pretty new work-basket for a present.
