used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading I try, but I forget and act just like a boy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
react verbally
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Dear Brownie," the letter began, "It is very Hard to be a girl.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
a youthful male person
From this reading I try, but I forget and act just like a boy.
lacking funds
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
BrownienounUS /ˈbraʊni/
a junior Girl Scout
From this reading "Dear Brownie," the letter began, "It is very Hard to be a girl.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
a special loved one
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
dearly loved
From this reading "Dear Brownie," the letter began, "It is very Hard to be a girl.
dearly-loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
accept an excuse for
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading I try, but I forget and act just like a boy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
a young female
From this reading "Dear Brownie," the letter began, "It is very Hard to be a girl.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading "Dear Brownie," the letter began, "It is very Hard to be a girl.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
and nothing more
From this reading I try, but I forget and act just like a boy.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
a polite name for any woman
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
packagenounUS /ˈpækədʒ/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
express in words
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
sealverbUS /siːl/
make tight; secure against leakage
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
SILVER-HAIREDadjective
having hair the color of silver
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
the-wisp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
make an effort or attempt
From this reading I try, but I forget and act just like a boy.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Dear Brownie," the letter began, "It is very Hard to be a girl.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
will-o
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading And May broke the seal of the dearly-loved brother's letter and began to read before the General could say a word.
the words that are spoken
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading It was a characteristic letter; as she read May seemed to see the writer dancing around the room like a will-o'-the-wisp, and speaking the written words without waiting for answer or comment.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading A SILVER-HAIRED LADY "The package will keep—though I'm dying to know what is in it—but I must read this letter from my darling G——May, if you will excuse me."
