used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Paul Varley’s interest in sugar making was to prove a case in point.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
(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 The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
any thing at all
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
birchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Paul Varley’s interest in sugar making was to prove a case in point.
cheeryadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪri/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
climaxnounUS /ˈklaɪmæks/
the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
having made preparations
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
every person
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
exertionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃən/
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
GrantsnounUS /ɡrænts/
plural of “grant” — any monetary aid
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
grovesnounUS /ɡroʊvz/
United States general who served as military director of the atomic bomb project (1896-1970)
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
improvementnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənt/
a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Paul Varley’s interest in sugar making was to prove a case in point.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
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 The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
living-roomnoun
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Paul Varley’s interest in sugar making was to prove a case in point.
maplenounUS /ˈmeɪpəl/
wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
minceverbUS /mɪns/
make less severe or harsh
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
not any; not one
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
noticesnounUS /ˈnoʊtəsəz/
plural of “notice” — an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
omittedverbUS /oʊˈmɪtəd/
inflected form of “omit” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading Paul Varley’s interest in sugar making was to prove a case in point.
pienounUS /paɪ/
dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Paul Varley’s interest in sugar making was to prove a case in point.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading Paul Varley’s interest in sugar making was to prove a case in point.
resultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
Sam'snounUS /sæmz/
possessive form of “sam” — a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
semicirclenoun
a plane figure with the shape of half a circle
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
sugarnounUS /ˈʃʊɡər/
a white crystalline carbohydrate used as a sweetener and preservative
From this reading Paul Varley’s interest in sugar making was to prove a case in point.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
triflingnounUS /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
Varley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
Varley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul Varley’s interest in sugar making was to prove a case in point.
precisely as stated
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Paul Varley’s interest in sugar making was to prove a case in point.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
in or at the place that
From this reading Back in the great living-room the party settled down in a semicircle before the open fireplace, where now a cheery little pile of birch was blazing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If Varley had not been with the Safety First Club that day, it is altogether likely that the trip to the maple groves would have been omitted.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The big dinner, with Sam’s wonderful mince pie as its climax, left the Grants’ guests very well pleased with the world in general but not at all disposed to exertion, especially as the weather showed no improvement.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Probably everybody notices, from time to time, how things which would seem to be trifling in themselves bring about results which are anything but trifling.
