used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The children danced after her, entering the silent structure with prancing steps.
(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 "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
automaticallyadverbUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪkli/
in a reflex manner
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
(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 "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
Bretton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
budsnounUS /bʌdz/
plural of “bud” — a partially opened flower
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The children danced after her, entering the silent structure with prancing steps.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
placed crosswise
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading The children danced after her, entering the silent structure with prancing steps.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
a movement into or inward
From this reading The children danced after her, entering the silent structure with prancing steps.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
the act of departing
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The children danced after her, entering the silent structure with prancing steps.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
immediately past
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
engage in
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
Marie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
mulberrynounUS /ˈmʌlberi/
any of several trees of the genus Morus having edible fruit that resembles the blackberry
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
on one occasion
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
pegnounUS /peɡ/
a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
prancingverbUS /ˈprænsɪŋ/
-ing form of “prance” — to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
From this reading The children danced after her, entering the silent structure with prancing steps.
predictionnounUS /priˈdɪkʃən/
the act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future)
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
established beyond doubt
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The children danced after her, entering the silent structure with prancing steps.
silk-growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
SILK-HOUSE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
skippingverbUS /ˈskɪpɪŋ/
inflected form of “skip” — bypass
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
with low volume
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The children danced after her, entering the silent structure with prancing steps.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
structurenounUS /ˈstrʌktʃər/
a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading The children danced after her, entering the silent structure with prancing steps.
the rays of the sun
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
surveynounUS /sərˈveɪ/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
carry out
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
tippedadjectiveUS /tɪpt/
having a tip; or having a tip as specified (used in combination)
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
tiptoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once inside, however, they stopped their skipping as if automatically and instead began creeping softly about on their tiptoes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
we'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From a peg over the fireplace she took down a key, and going out, crossed the lawn to a building which stood opposite.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Our silk-growing will begin in earnest now," declared Madame Bretton, "and before it does I think we'd better take one last careful survey of the silk-house to make sure that everything is all right."
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE SILK-HOUSE Marie's prediction proved a true one, for within another fortnight the mulberry buds were tipped with green, and it was evident they would be in leaf with the coming of a few more days of warm sunshine.
