ADRIFTadjectiveUS /əˈdrɪft/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
aftadverbUS /æft/
at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
Amy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “Just make yourselves perfectly at home,” answered Betty.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
Argono
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
AuntnounUS /ænt/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
cabinnounUS /ˈkæbən/
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
chaperonenounUS /ˈʃæpəroʊn/
one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people
From this reading “Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don’t sink,” and the chaperone smiled indulgently.
dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading “Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don’t sink,” and the chaperone smiled indulgently.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You don’t mind; do you, Aunt Kate?”
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
funnounUS /fʌn/
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
GemnounUS /dʒem/
art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
groupedadjectiveUS /ɡruːpt/
arranged into groups
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading “Just make yourselves perfectly at home,” answered Betty.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
indulgentlyadverb
in an indulgent manner
From this reading “Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don’t sink,” and the chaperone smiled indulgently.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
JustadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading “Just make yourselves perfectly at home,” answered Betty.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading “Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don’t sink,” and the chaperone smiled indulgently.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading “Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don’t sink,” and the chaperone smiled indulgently.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading “Just make yourselves perfectly at home,” answered Betty.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading You don’t mind; do you, Aunt Kate?”
movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don’t sink,” and the chaperone smiled indulgently.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don’t sink,” and the chaperone smiled indulgently.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
ordersnounUS /ˈɔːrdərz/
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
perfectlyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrfəktli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading “Just make yourselves perfectly at home,” answered Betty.
pleaseverbUS /pliːz/
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
RivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
sinkverbUS /sɪŋk/
fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading “Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don’t sink,” and the chaperone smiled indulgently.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
smiledverbUS /smaɪld/
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading “Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don’t sink,” and the chaperone smiled indulgently.
spacenounUS /speɪs/
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
tripnounUS /trɪp/
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
trunknounUS /trʌŋk/
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we please.
WelladverbUS /wel/
(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 ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
wheelverbUS /wiːl/
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You don’t mind; do you, Aunt Kate?”
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ADRIFT “Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the Argono River.
yourselvespronounUS /jʊrˈselvz/
used when the people spoken to are both doing and receiving the action
From this reading “Just make yourselves perfectly at home,” answered Betty.
