used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
admonitionnounUS /ˌædməˈnɪʃən/
cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
any thing at all
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
unvarying in nature
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/
close interaction
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
daintinessnoun
the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
a female human offspring
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
DavisnounUS /ˈdeɪvəs/
English navigator who explored the Arctic while searching for the Northwest Passage (1550-1605)
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
drillingnounUS /ˈdrɪlɪŋ/
the act of drilling
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
at any time
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
GIFTSnounUS /ɡɪfts/
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
Jemima
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
Mahala
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
engage in
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
nastyadjectiveUS /ˈnæsti/
offensive or even (of persons) malicious
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
and nothing more
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
an amount of time
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
a human being
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
pupilsnounUS /ˈpjuːpəlz/
plural of “pupil” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
recessverbUS /rɪˈses/
put into a recess
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
an educational institution
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
Spellman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
unceasingadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːsɪŋ/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
which person or people
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
a late time of life
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
