used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
(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 She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading George brought his wife home to the High-street.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
doingsnounUS /ˈduːɪŋz/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading George brought his wife home to the High-street.
the act of departing
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
High-street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George brought his wife home to the High-street.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading George brought his wife home to the High-street.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading George brought his wife home to the High-street.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
a social unit living together
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
used to form the superlative
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
being perceived or observed
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
precisely, exactly
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
cut with a saw
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She was intent on household matters, as was right, and she took more time to herself in the quiet of her own room than she used to do.
create by training and teaching
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
which person or people
From this reading May, who saw most things that were passing, noticed that in some ways her sister was different from what she used to be.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading George brought his wife home to the High-street.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But she was merry enough with the children, and indeed gave much of her leisure to them, going about in the house and the garden with baby Mary in her arms, and the little brothers following in their train for many a pleasant hour.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading She was not the leader in all the gay doings, but left the young visitors at the house to amuse themselves in their own way.
