used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
alternatelyadverbUS /ˈɔːltərnətli/
in an alternating sequence or position
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
approvedadjectiveUS /əˈpruːvd/
established by authority; given authoritative approval
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
Artie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “For we must make them as hard as we can,” said Polly, earnestly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “For we must make them as hard as we can,” said Polly, earnestly.
clippingsnounUS /ˈklɪpɪŋz/
plural of “clipping” — an excerpt cut from a newspaper or magazine
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
collectingnounUS /kəˈlektɪŋ/
the act of gathering something together
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
in a serious manner
From this reading “For we must make them as hard as we can,” said Polly, earnestly.
divisible by two
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “For we must make them as hard as we can,” said Polly, earnestly.
Fred's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
the act of departing
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading “For we must make them as hard as we can,” said Polly, earnestly.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
heapsnounUS /hiːps/
a large number or amount
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
engage in
From this reading “For we must make them as hard as we can,” said Polly, earnestly.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
a particular point in time
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “For we must make them as hard as we can,” said Polly, earnestly.
not any; not one
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
rainedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “rain” — precipitate as rain
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
RiddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
riddlesnounUS /ˈrɪdəlz/
plural of “riddle” — a difficult problem
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “For we must make them as hard as we can,” said Polly, earnestly.
an educational institution
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
scrapnounUS /skræp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
snowedverbUS /snoʊd/
past form of “snow” — fall as snow
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
carry out
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “For we must make them as hard as we can,” said Polly, earnestly.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “For we must make them as hard as we can,” said Polly, earnestly.
we'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading There was, as Artie observed, “a good deal of weather going on,” and it alternately rained and snowed for three days.
well-wornadjective
showing signs of much wear or use
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A PRACTICAL JOKE Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books--well-worn by this time--old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But, of course, they couldn’t think of riddles every hour in the day, no matter how interested they were in the coming meeting.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Then no one will be able to guess them and we’ll have heaps of money to take to school for the collection.”
