used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
not being in a specified place
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading Frank assured the women, however, that they need not fear attack, and they retired to the servant's quarters.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
BarnumnounUS /ˈbɑːrnəm/
United States showman who popularized the circus (1810-1891)
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
an occurrence of something
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
chauffeurnounUS /ʃoʊˈfɜːr/
a man paid to drive a privately owned car
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
Della
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Frank assured the women, however, that they need not fear attack, and they retired to the servant's quarters.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
set up or found
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
a social unit living together
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
hysterianounUS /hɪˈsteriə/
state of violent mental agitation
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
hystericaladjectiveUS /hɪˈsterɪkəl/
characterized by or arising from psychoneurotic hysteria
From this reading Some of the maids were hysterical.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
maidsnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading Some of the maids were hysterical.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
the force of workers available
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
MOTORnounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Frank assured the women, however, that they need not fear attack, and they retired to the servant's quarters.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
oldishadjective
somewhat elderly
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
prevailedverbUS /prɪˈveɪld/
past form of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading Frank assured the women, however, that they need not fear attack, and they retired to the servant's quarters.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading Frank assured the women, however, that they need not fear attack, and they retired to the servant's quarters.
plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
servant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank assured the women, however, that they need not fear attack, and they retired to the servant's quarters.
shamedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪmd/
showing a sense of guilt
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
sharp-spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some of the maids were hysterical.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
TemplesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
in or at that place or location
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
timorousadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmərəs/
timid by nature or revealing timidity
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
male cat
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some of the maids were hysterical.
at the time that
From this reading THE MOTOR BOAT STOLEN When the boys and Tom Barnum arrived at the Temples', they found the household in a great state of excitement.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading However, it was not to be wondered at that hysteria prevailed, as there were few men about to give protection in case of an attack on the house, the butler being an oldish and timorous man and the chauffeur absent.
the words that are spoken
From this reading But Frank and Della, with a few sharp-spoken words, shamed the women and brought them to their senses.
