used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
askanceadverbUS /əˈskæns/
with suspicion or disapproval
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
beetlesnounUS /ˈbiːtəlz/
plural of “beetle” — insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
the act of breaking something
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
Cecily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
cellos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
concertnounUS /ˈkɑːnsərt/
a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading _Through generations the power has descended, now weaker, now stronger.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
doorstepnounUS /ˈdɔːrstep/
the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
a social unit living together
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
four-laneadjective
having two lanes for traffic in each direction
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
four-year-oldadjective
four years of age
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
generationnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃən/
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading _Through generations the power has descended, now weaker, now stronger.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
granddaughternounUS /ˈɡrændɔːtər/
a female grandchild
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
great-granddaughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
groovesnounUS /ɡruːvz/
plural of “groove” — a long narrow furrow cut either by a natural process (such as erosion) or by a tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph record)
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Through generations the power has descended, now weaker, now stronger.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
ten 10s
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
lilacsnounUS /ˈlaɪlæks/
plural of “lilac” — any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/
in a literal sense
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
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 Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
matriarchs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
NinanounUS /ˈniːnə/
the Babylonian goddess of the watery deep and daughter of Ea
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading _Through generations the power has descended, now weaker, now stronger.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
pienounUS /paɪ/
dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading _Through generations the power has descended, now weaker, now stronger.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
Putnam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
Putnam's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
Simone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading _Through generations the power has descended, now weaker, now stronger.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Through generations the power has descended, now weaker, now stronger.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading _Through generations the power has descended, now weaker, now stronger.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
unbrokenadjectiveUS /ənˈbroʊkən/
marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
plural of “wall” — 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 Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
weakenedadjectiveUS /ˈwiːkənd/
impaired by diminution
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
weakeradjectiveUS /ˈwiːkər/
comparative of “weak” — wanting in physical strength
From this reading _Through generations the power has descended, now weaker, now stronger.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
wiresnounUS /ˈwaɪərz/
plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading Long before that, in the time of Cecily Putnam's husband, power lines had been run in, and now on cold nights the telephone wires sounded like a concert of cellos, while inside with a sound like the breaking of beetles, the grandmother Cecily moved through the walls in the grooves of tradition.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Simone Putnam, her granddaughter; Nina Putnam, her great-granddaughter; the unbroken succession of matriarchs continued, but times the old woman thought that in Simone it was weakened, and she looked at the four-year-old Nina askance, waiting, waiting, for some good sign.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading And which way did the power run in the four-year-old in the garden, playing with a pie plate?_ It was an old house not far from the coast, and had descended generation by generation to the women of the Putnam family.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Progress literally went by it: a new four-lane highway had been built two hundred yards from the ancient lilacs at the doorstep.
