adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
ambitionnounUS /æmˈbɪʃən/
a cherished desire
From this reading Betty was immensely delighted with the twins, her one ambition in life being to have twins of her own.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
approachverbUS /əˈproʊtʃ/
move towards
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
arrangedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪndʒd/
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
assumedadjectiveUS /əˈsuːmd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Betty was immensely delighted with the twins, her one ambition in life being to have twins of her own.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Betty was immensely delighted with the twins, her one ambition in life being to have twins of her own.
biggeradjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
bringverbUS /brɪŋ/
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
carenounUS /ker/
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
cloudverbUS /klaʊd/
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
delightedadjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtəd/
greatly pleased
From this reading Betty was immensely delighted with the twins, her one ambition in life being to have twins of her own.
DiananounUS /daɪˈænə/
English aristocrat who was the first wife of Prince Charles; her death in an automobile accident in Paris produced intense national mourning (1961-1997)
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
dimensionsnounUS /dɪˈmenʃənz/
plural of “dimension” — the magnitude of something in a particular direction (especially length or width or height)
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
disappointmentnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
discoveredadjectiveUS /dɪˈskʌvərd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
else's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
FailingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
finallyadverbUS /ˈfaɪnəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Betty was immensely delighted with the twins, her one ambition in life being to have twins of her own.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
heraldverbUS /ˈherəld/
foreshadow or presage
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
HyacinthnounUS /ˈhaɪəsɪnθ/
a red transparent variety of zircon used as a gemstone
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
immenseadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmens/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
immenselyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmensli/
to an exceedingly great extent or degree
From this reading Betty was immensely delighted with the twins, her one ambition in life being to have twins of her own.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Betty was immensely delighted with the twins, her one ambition in life being to have twins of her own.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
neareradverbUS /ˈnɪrər/
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
nursery-maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
ourspronounUS /ˈaʊərz/
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Betty was immensely delighted with the twins, her one ambition in life being to have twins of her own.
partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/
a person, without saying who
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
TeddynounUS /ˈtedi/
plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
wakeverbUS /weɪk/
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading Failing that, and every birthday only brought fresh disappointment in its wake, the care of somebody else's was the next best thing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
watchedverbUS /wɑːtʃt/
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It so happened that all the days were fine, so every day Diana and I watched for the small cloud in the distance that should herald their approach, and one day it appeared, no bigger than a man's hand.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When it came nearer it was considerably bigger, and it finally assumed the dimensions of Zerlina, Hyacinth, the twins, Teddy, and a small nursery-maid.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
Zerlina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zerlina discovered, to her immense surprise, that she was near enough to bring all her party to play with ours, and it was arranged that she should do so on the first fine day.
