used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the door was locked, and then began a time of wild mirth.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
atticnounUS /ˈætɪk/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
awful-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But the door was locked, and then began a time of wild mirth.
(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 Oh, perhaps we had better lock the door; but even that is scarcely necessary."
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
cakesnounUS /keɪks/
plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
currants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
designsnounUS /dɪˈzaɪnz/
plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Oh, perhaps we had better lock the door; but even that is scarcely necessary."
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
divisible by two
From this reading Oh, perhaps we had better lock the door; but even that is scarcely necessary."
at any time
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
ginger-beer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
a young female
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Oh, perhaps we had better lock the door; but even that is scarcely necessary."
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Oh, perhaps we had better lock the door; but even that is scarcely necessary."
leadenadjectiveUS /ˈledən/
darkened with overcast
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
lemonadenounUS /ˈleməˈneɪd/
sweetened beverage of diluted lemon juice
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
lemonsnounUS /ˈlemənz/
plural of “lemon” — yellow oval fruit with juicy acidic flesh
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
fasten with a lock
From this reading Oh, perhaps we had better lock the door; but even that is scarcely necessary."
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading But the door was locked, and then began a time of wild mirth.
lollipopsnounUS /ˈlɑːlipɑːps/
plural of “lollipop” — ice cream or water ice on a small wooden stick
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
mirthnounUS /mɜːrθ/
great merriment
From this reading But the door was locked, and then began a time of wild mirth.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
absolutely essential
From this reading Oh, perhaps we had better lock the door; but even that is scarcely necessary."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
no person; not anyone
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the door was locked, and then began a time of wild mirth.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh, perhaps we had better lock the door; but even that is scarcely necessary."
by chance
From this reading Oh, perhaps we had better lock the door; but even that is scarcely necessary."
by chance
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
quaintadjectiveUS /kweɪnt/
strange in an interesting or pleasing way
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
richlyadverbUS /ˈrɪtʃli/
to an ample degree or in an ample manner
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
only a very short time before
From this reading Oh, perhaps we had better lock the door; but even that is scarcely necessary."
shapesnounUS /ʃeɪps/
plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
do one's shopping
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
storedverbUS /stɔːrd/
past form of “store” — keep or lay aside for future use
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But the door was locked, and then began a time of wild mirth.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But the door was locked, and then began a time of wild mirth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
underdoneadjective
insufficiently cooked
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
unwholesomeadjective
detrimental to physical or moral well-being
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
venturesomeadjectiveUS /ˈventʃərsəm/
disposed to venture or take risks
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The food from the village shop was as decidedly unwholesome as the most venturesome little girl could desire.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the door was locked, and then began a time of wild mirth.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading But the door was locked, and then began a time of wild mirth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading The cakes were nearly leaden in weight, were richly stored with currants, and were underdone; there were awful-looking lollipops of queer shapes and quaint designs, and there was ginger-beer of the worst quality, and lemonade which had never made acquaintance with lemons.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "We must be quiet, but not too quiet," she exclaimed, "for nobody ever comes to the tower, and nobody ever comes in by that entrance, and Miss Fleet may think for ever and ever before she can possibly imagine that I am having high tea with you four in the big back attic.
