used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
afternoonsnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːnz/
plural of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
how long something has existed
From this reading Janice had been unable to get Virginia Trimmins and the two sisters nearest her age to the Guild.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
basementnounUS /ˈbeɪsmənt/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Janice had been unable to get Virginia Trimmins and the two sisters nearest her age to the Guild.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
ERRANDnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Janice had been unable to get Virginia Trimmins and the two sisters nearest her age to the Guild.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
groceriesnounUS /ˈɡroʊsəriz/
plural of “grocery” — a marketplace where groceries are sold
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
GuildnounUS /ɡɪld/
a formal association of people with similar interests
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
gymnasiumnounUS /dʒɪmˈneɪziəm/
a school for students intermediate between elementary school and college; usually grades 9 to 12
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Janice had been unable to get Virginia Trimmins and the two sisters nearest her age to the Guild.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
institutionnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃən/
an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
Janice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Janice had been unable to get Virginia Trimmins and the two sisters nearest her age to the Guild.
Janice's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
a room where books are kept
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
full of life and energy
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
liverynounUS /ˈlɪvəri/
uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
managementnounUS /ˈmænədʒmənt/
the act of managing something
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
Marty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
Middler's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
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 Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading Janice had been unable to get Virginia Trimmins and the two sisters nearest her age to the Guild.
nowadaysnounUS /ˈnaʊədeɪz/
the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
paradingverbUS /pərˈeɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “parade” — walk ostentatiously
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
not often
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/
resistant to change of position or condition
From this reading The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
Trimmins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Janice had been unable to get Virginia Trimmins and the two sisters nearest her age to the Guild.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Janice had been unable to get Virginia Trimmins and the two sisters nearest her age to the Guild.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Janice had been unable to get Virginia Trimmins and the two sisters nearest her age to the Guild.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
vestrynoun
in the Protestant Episcopal Church: a committee elected by the congregation to work with the churchwardens in managing the temporal affairs of the church
From this reading Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading Janice had been unable to get Virginia Trimmins and the two sisters nearest her age to the Guild.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN ERRAND OF MERCY The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
but in spite of that
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
