adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
addressingverbUS /əˈdresɪŋ/
-ing form of “address” — speak to
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
Amadis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
amusementnounUS /əˈmjuːzmənt/
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
barnnounUS /bɑːrn/
an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading “Now, boys, what shall we do?”
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading Our case was different.
conclavenounUS /ˈkɑːnkleɪv/
a confidential or secret meeting
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
croupnounUS /kruːp/
a disease of infants and young children; harsh coughing and hoarseness and fever and difficult breathing
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
dealverbUS /diːl/
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Our case was different.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Now, boys, what shall we do?”
DonnounUS /dɑːn/
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
GaulnounUS /ɡɔːl/
a person of French descent
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
grandfathersnounUS /ˈɡrændfɑːðərz/
plural of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
guidancenounUS /ˈɡaɪdəns/
something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
half-holidays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
indooradjectiveUS /ˈɪndɔːr/
located, suited for, or taking place within a building
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
ironnounUS /ˈaɪərn/
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
learnverbUS /lɜːrn/
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
NowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Now, boys, what shall we do?”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
overcoatsnounUS /ˈoʊvərkoʊts/
plural of “overcoat” — a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
Quixote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
rainyadjectiveUS /ˈreɪni/
(of weather) wet by periods of rain
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
Rivermouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
sevennounUS /ˈsevən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “Now, boys, what shall we do?”
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
thoughtfuladjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtfəl/
having intellectual depth
From this reading I asked, addressing a thoughtful conclave of seven, assembled in our barn one dismal rainy afternoon.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
weathernounUS /ˈweðər/
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
weeksnounUS /wiːks/
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was all very well for Amadis de Gaul and Don Quixote not to mind the rain; they had iron overcoats, and were not, from all we can learn, subject to croup and the guidance of their grandfathers.
wetadjectiveUS /wet/
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Now, boys, what shall we do?”
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There was a good deal of wet weather during those first six weeks at Rivermouth, and we set ourselves at work to find some indoor amusement for our half-holidays.
