used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
auntsnounUS /ænts/
plural of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
biddenverbUS /ˈbɪdɪn/
inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
the two together, not just one
From this reading As they came up the path, Ladybird grasped the situation with both hands, and turning to her Aunt Priscilla, said:
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
confideverbUS /kənˈfaɪd/
reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
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 Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
one or the other of two
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
enlightenverbUS /ˌenˈlaɪtən/
make understand
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
Flint'snounUS /flɪnts/
possessive form of “flint” — a hard kind of stone; a form of silica more opaque than chalcedony
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
graspedverbUS /ɡræspt/
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading As they came up the path, Ladybird grasped the situation with both hands, and turning to her Aunt Priscilla, said:
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading As they came up the path, Ladybird grasped the situation with both hands, and turning to her Aunt Priscilla, said:
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
LadybirdnounUS /ˈleɪdibɜːrd/
small round bright-colored and spotted beetle that usually feeds on aphids and other insect pests
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
motleynounUS /ˈmɑːtli/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
on one occasion
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
a course of conduct
From this reading As they came up the path, Ladybird grasped the situation with both hands, and turning to her Aunt Priscilla, said:
patriciannounUS /pəˈtrɪʃən/
a person of refined upbringing and manners
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
by chance
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
precariousadjectiveUS /priˈkeriəs/
affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
Priscilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
promptnessnoun
the characteristic of doing things without delay
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
established beyond doubt
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
unusual or striking
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading As they came up the path, Ladybird grasped the situation with both hands, and turning to her Aunt Priscilla, said:
cut with a saw
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
scrupulousadjectiveUS /ˈskruːpjələs/
having scruples; arising from a sense of right and wrong; principled
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
StellanounUS /ˈstelə/
United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading As they came up the path, Ladybird grasped the situation with both hands, and turning to her Aunt Priscilla, said:
unheraldedadjectiveUS /ənˈherəldɪd/
without warning or announcement
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
unsuspectingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪŋ/
not suspicious
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As they came up the path, Ladybird grasped the situation with both hands, and turning to her Aunt Priscilla, said:
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Stella came early, and Ladybird was tempted to confide in her, and perhaps ask her to enlighten Aunt Priscilla.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading But the child's sense of the dramatic was too strong for this, and notwithstanding her own precarious position, she preferred to wait and let the whole remarkable situation burst unheralded upon her unsuspecting aunts.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The guests had been bidden to come at three o'clock, and as they obeyed with scrupulous promptness, the greater part of the party arrived all at once.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading And it proved to be worth while; for the expression on Miss Priscilla Flint's patrician countenance as she saw a motley crowd coming in at her front gate was never forgotten either by Ladybird or Stella.
