used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading One afternoon in August, Stella, Chester, and Ladybird sat out in the orchard.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
(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 "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
arrangeverbUS /ərˈeɪndʒ/
put into a proper or systematic order
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading One afternoon in August, Stella, Chester, and Ladybird sat out in the orchard.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
botherverbUS /ˈbɑːðər/
take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
ChesternounUS /ˈtʃestər/
a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
cleverlyadverbUS /ˈklevərli/
in a clever manner
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
the act of departing
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
one or the other of two
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
at any time
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
franklyadverbUS /ˈfræŋkli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
Humphreys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One afternoon in August, Stella, Chester, and Ladybird sat out in the orchard.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
LadybirdnounUS /ˈleɪdibɜːrd/
small round bright-colored and spotted beetle that usually feeds on aphids and other insect pests
From this reading One afternoon in August, Stella, Chester, and Ladybird sat out in the orchard.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
go away from a place
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
nicestadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪsɪst/
superlative of “nice” — pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
on one occasion
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One afternoon in August, Stella, Chester, and Ladybird sat out in the orchard.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
orchardnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərd/
garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading One afternoon in August, Stella, Chester, and Ladybird sat out in the orchard.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading One afternoon in August, Stella, Chester, and Ladybird sat out in the orchard.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
provesverbUS /pruːvz/
third-person singular of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
RussellnounUS /ˈrʌsəl/
United States religious leader who founded the sect that is now called Jehovah's Witnesses (1852-1916)
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading One afternoon in August, Stella, Chester, and Ladybird sat out in the orchard.
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
StellanounUS /ˈstelə/
United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
carry out
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
tree-trunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Then that's settled," said Ladybird, leaning comfortably against a tree-trunk; "you are really the nicest engaged couple I ever knew."
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
unostentatiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It must be that the exception proves the rule, for though the love of Chester Humphreys and Stella Russell was undoubtedly true, its course ran smooth.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
at the time that
From this reading "Don't bother, Ladybird," said Chester; "understand once for all that when we wish to be left to our own 'self,' we will either arrange it cleverly and unostentatiously, or else ask you frankly to take your departure."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Now that you two are engaged," said Ladybird, "if you wish, I will go away and leave you to your own self."
