used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
admiredadjectiveUS /ədˈmaɪərd/
regarded with admiration
From this reading They admired and respected their headmistress, and her well-framed rules were rarely transgressed.
alliedadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪd/
related by common characteristics or ancestry
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were a very happy little community at the Dower House.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
for the reason that
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
behaviournounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
Birks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
Birks's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading They were a very happy little community at the Dower House.
compulsoryadjectiveUS /kəmˈpʌlsəri/
required by rule
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
DowernounUS /daʊr/
money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
From this reading They were a very happy little community at the Dower House.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
EasternounUS /ˈiːstər/
a Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Christ; celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
eighty-eightadjective
being eight more than eighty
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
exemplaryadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzempləri/
worthy of imitation
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
giftsnounUS /ɡɪfts/
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading They were a very happy little community at the Dower House.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
headmistressnounUS /ˈhedmɪstrəs/
a woman headmaster
From this reading They admired and respected their headmistress, and her well-framed rules were rarely transgressed.
helter-skelteradjectiveUS /ˌheltərˈskeltər/
lacking a visible order or organization
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They admired and respected their headmistress, and her well-framed rules were rarely transgressed.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading They were a very happy little community at the Dower House.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They were a very happy little community at the Dower House.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
normaladjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrməl/
conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
procedurenounUS /prəˈsiːdʒər/
a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
pupilsnounUS /ˈpjuːpəlz/
plural of “pupil” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading They admired and respected their headmistress, and her well-framed rules were rarely transgressed.
rareradjectiveUS /ˈrerər/
comparative of “rare” — not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
respectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪd/
receiving deferential regard
From this reading They admired and respected their headmistress, and her well-framed rules were rarely transgressed.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading They admired and respected their headmistress, and her well-framed rules were rarely transgressed.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
an educational institution
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
solonounUS /ˈsoʊloʊ/
any activity that is performed alone without assistance
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
tactnounUS /tækt/
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
transgressedverbUS /trænzˈɡrest/
past form of “transgress” — act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
From this reading They admired and respected their headmistress, and her well-framed rules were rarely transgressed.
undoubted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
precisely as stated
From this reading They were a very happy little community at the Dower House.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A Kingdom by the Sea Please do not think because Miss Birks's pupils, on the first night of a new term, ran helter-skelter up and down the passages, and insisted on compulsory dancing or solo singing, that this was their normal course of procedure.
well-framed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They admired and respected their headmistress, and her well-framed rules were rarely transgressed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were a very happy little community at the Dower House.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Certainly the girls would have been hard to please if they had not been satisfied with Miss Birks, for allied to her undoubted brain power she had those far rarer gifts of perfect tact and absolute sympathy.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was but their one evening of liberty before they settled down to ordinary school routine, and for the rest of the eighty-eight days before Easter their behaviour would be quite exemplary.
