Chapter VII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

(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 Saddest of all, the child annoyed Uncle George.

congenital absence of an arm or leg

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

a feeling of delight at being entertained

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

aroused to impatience or anger

From this reading Saddest of all, the child annoyed Uncle George.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

talk or utter in a cackling manner

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

a young person of either sex

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

not to your liking

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

to or in any or all places

From this reading Everywhere within its walls, she was Marian the unwanted.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading Saddest of all, the child annoyed Uncle George.

come to pass

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

moving to the inside of something

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Everywhere within its walls, she was Marian the unwanted.

the sound of laughing

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

of or relating to or venerating the Virgin Mary

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

a gay feeling

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

a daughter of your brother or sister

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Saddest of all, the child annoyed Uncle George.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

plural of “picnic” — a day devoted to an outdoor social gathering

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

superlative of “sad” — experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading Saddest of all, the child annoyed Uncle George.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Everywhere within its walls, she was Marian the unwanted.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

a source of difficulty

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

make an effort or attempt

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading Saddest of all, the child annoyed Uncle George.

not deserving

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

not wanted; not needed

From this reading Everywhere within its walls, she was Marian the unwanted.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

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 Everywhere within its walls, she was Marian the unwanted.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Everywhere within its walls, she was Marian the unwanted.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

at the time that

From this reading Not at first, to be sure; he liked his little niece in the beginning, but when Aunt Amelia and the little Ella were rendered unhappy by her presence, that made a difference.

in or at the place that

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

in or to any place at all

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

which person or people

From this reading Early in the summer Uncle George insisted upon taking Marian wherever Ella and her mother went, to picnics, to the circus and other places of amusement, but as something disagreeable was sure to happen and trouble seemed to follow little Marian, she was finally left at home where her gay talk and merriment could not reach the ears of Aunt Amelia, who called her talk "clatter" and her laughter "cackle."

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Everywhere within its walls, she was Marian the unwanted.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading AN UNDESERVING CHILD TRY as hard as she would, Marian could not fit into Aunt Amelia's home.