adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
AlexandernounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændər/
European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
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 Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
assemblynounUS /əˈsembli/
a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
BabiesnounUS /ˈbeɪbiz/
plural of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
bellsnounUS /belz/
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
blowyadjectiveUS /ˈbloʊi/
abounding in or exposed to the wind or breezes
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
chandeliersnounUS /ˌʃændəˈlɪz/
plural of “chandelier” — branched lighting fixture; often ornate; hangs from the ceiling
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Six hundred people were crowded into the room, more than half of them children.
chosennounUS /ˈtʃoʊzən/
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
climbedverbUS /klaɪmd/
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
colouradjectiveUS /ˈkʌlər/
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
crowdedadjectiveUS /ˈkraʊdəd/
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading Six hundred people were crowded into the room, more than half of them children.
DoctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
enormousadjectiveUS /ɪˈnɔːrməs/
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
EvenounUS /iːv/
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
everywhereadverbUS /ˈevriwer/
to or in any or all places
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
excitementnounUS /ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
garlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
glitteredverbUS /ˈɡlɪtərd/
past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
guestsnounUS /ɡests/
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Six hundred people were crowded into the room, more than half of them children.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/
ten 10s
From this reading Six hundred people were crowded into the room, more than half of them children.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Six hundred people were crowded into the room, more than half of them children.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
Julia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
lapsnounUS /læps/
plural of “lap” — the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
loopedverbUS /luːpt/
past form of “loop” — move in loops
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Six hundred people were crowded into the room, more than half of them children.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Six hundred people were crowded into the room, more than half of them children.
radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiːənt/
radiating or as if radiating light
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Six hundred people were crowded into the room, more than half of them children.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
SixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Six hundred people were crowded into the room, more than half of them children.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
spendingnounUS /ˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
stagenounUS /steɪdʒ/
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
Studdiford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Six hundred people were crowded into the room, more than half of them children.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Six hundred people were crowded into the room, more than half of them children.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
Toland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Toland only appeared at intervals, spending most of the afternoon with a few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was everywhere at once.
treenounUS /triː/
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading Babies twisted and climbed on the laps of their radiant mothers, small girls and boys everywhere were restless with excitement and anticipation.
warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Christmas time before Julia saw Doctor Studdiford again, and then it was but for a few minutes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
wetadjectiveUS /wet/
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out of doors, but the assembly hall of The Alexander looked warm and bright; there were painfully made garlands of green looped about the windows, bells of red paper hung from all the chandeliers, and on the stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and light.
