used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
how long something has existed
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Oh, you big, handsome, brave, glorious boy!" she cried in ecstasy.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
a youthful male person
From this reading "Oh, you big, handsome, brave, glorious boy!" she cried in ecstasy.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading "Oh, you big, handsome, brave, glorious boy!" she cried in ecstasy.
of short duration or distance
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
bureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
celebrationnounUS /ˌseləˈbreɪʃən/
a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
commisioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "Oh, you big, handsome, brave, glorious boy!" she cried in ecstasy.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
ecstasynounUS /ˈekstəsi/
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
From this reading "Oh, you big, handsome, brave, glorious boy!" she cried in ecstasy.
electionnounUS /ɪˈlekʃən/
a vote to select the winner of a position or political office
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
having or deserving or conferring glory
From this reading "Oh, you big, handsome, brave, glorious boy!" she cried in ecstasy.
coins made of gold
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading "Oh, you big, handsome, brave, glorious boy!" she cried in ecstasy.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
ivorynounUS /ˈaɪvəri/
a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
the sound of laughing
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
LAUGHSnounUS /læfs/
plural of “laugh” — the sound of laughing
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
a room where books are kept
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
mantelnounUS /ˈmæntəl/
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
miniaturenounUS /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
a brief written record
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, you big, handsome, brave, glorious boy!" she cried in ecstasy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
painternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/
an artist who paints
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
pausingverbUS /ˈpɔːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
done under pressure
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
snatchedverbUS /snætʃt/
past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
speechesnounUS /ˈspiːtʃəz/
plural of “speech” — the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading She placed the little gold frame on her bureau, sat down before it and poured out her heart in silly speeches of love, pausing to laugh and kiss the glass that saved the miniature from ruin.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading The artist had caught the boy's spirit in the tender smile that played about his lips and lingered in the corners of his blue eyes, the same eyes and lips in line and color in the dainty little mother's portrait over the mantel.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
male cat
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
Tom'snounUS /tɑːmz/
possessive form of “tom” — male cat
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
at the time that
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
in the company of; together with
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading LOVE LAUGHS When Helen had received a brief note from Tom the night before the election that he would surely reach home the next day, she snatched his picture from the library table with a cry of joy and rushed to her room.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading The portrait was an exquisite work of art on ivory which the father had commisioned a painter in New York to do in celebration of Tom's coming of age.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Oh, you big, handsome, brave, glorious boy!" she cried in ecstasy.
