used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading “My luck wasn’t a great deal better,” Madge admitted.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading “My luck wasn’t a great deal better,” Madge admitted.
BradynounUS /ˈbreɪdi/
United States pioneer photographer famous for his portraits; was the official Union photographer for the American Civil War (1823-1896)
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
campedverbUS /kæmpt/
past form of “camp” — live in or as if in a tent
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
Cara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
comparingnounUS /kəmˈperɪŋ/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
confessedverbUS /kənˈfest/
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading “My luck wasn’t a great deal better,” Madge admitted.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
apart from; not including
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
set up or found
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
Grandale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her name is Hilda Grandale.”
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “My luck wasn’t a great deal better,” Madge admitted.
hasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her name is Hilda Grandale.”
Hilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her name is Hilda Grandale.”
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her name is Hilda Grandale.”
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading “My luck wasn’t a great deal better,” Madge admitted.
Madge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “My luck wasn’t a great deal better,” Madge admitted.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
ownedadjectiveUS /oʊnd/
having an owner; often used in combination
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
regretfullyadverbUS /rɪˈɡretfəli/
with regret (used in polite formulas)
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
an educational institution
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
Swenster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
express in words
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading School did not keep the following day, and early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped on the Brady front porch, comparing notes.
a special situation
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My luck wasn’t a great deal better,” Madge admitted.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
which person or people
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading “However, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able to tell us what we want to know.
a late time of life
From this reading “I couldn’t learn a thing about the Swenster mansion except that it’s owned by an old lady who hasn’t been near the place in years,” the latter confessed regretfully.
