used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
(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 And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ‘A friend of mine with an orange waistcoat,’ Mr. Penfold said.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading BREWING THE SPELL It was awkward, certainly.
awkwardnessnounUS /ˈɔːkwərdnəs/
unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
completely unclothed
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
BREWINGnounUS /ˈbruːɪŋ/
the production of malt beverages (as beer or ale) from malt and hops by grinding and boiling them and fermenting the result with yeast
From this reading BREWING THE SPELL It was awkward, certainly.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
butterfliesnounUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪz/
plural of “butterfly” — diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
Caroline's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading BREWING THE SPELL It was awkward, certainly.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
CharlottenounUS /ˈʃɑːrlət/
the largest city in North Carolina; located in south central North Carolina
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
conservatorynounUS /kənˈsɜːrvətɔːri/
the faculty and students of a school specializing in one of the fine arts
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
diversifiedadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrsəfaɪd/
having variety of character or form or components; or having increased variety
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
divisible by two
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading ‘A friend of mine with an orange waistcoat,’ Mr. Penfold said.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
the act of departing
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
harmoniumnounUS /hɑːrˈmoʊniəm/
a free-reeded instrument with a piano keyboard in which air is forced through the reeds by bellows
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading BREWING THE SPELL It was awkward, certainly.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
immediately past
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
engage in
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ‘A friend of mine with an orange waistcoat,’ Mr. Penfold said.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
newtnounUS /nuːt/
small usually bright-colored semiaquatic salamanders of North America and Europe and northern Asia
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
orangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading ‘A friend of mine with an orange waistcoat,’ Mr. Penfold said.
orange-colouredadjective
having the color of ripe oranges
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
parishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
Penfold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
peppermints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
petnounUS /pet/
a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
participate in games or sport
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
rector's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ‘A friend of mine with an orange waistcoat,’ Mr. Penfold said.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading BREWING THE SPELL It was awkward, certainly.
stomachnounUS /ˈstʌmək/
an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BREWING THE SPELL It was awkward, certainly.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
waistcoatnoun
a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat
From this reading ‘A friend of mine with an orange waistcoat,’ Mr. Penfold said.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BREWING THE SPELL It was awkward, certainly.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was while Charles and Charlotte were busy with this in the large bare room which had been the last rector’s drawing-room, and was now used for all sorts of parish parties, that Mr. Penfold took Caroline into the conservatory to show her a pet newt.
worriesnounUS /ˈwɜːriz/
plural of “worry” — something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
From this reading He was a very nice newt, but even his orange-coloured stomach could not drive away the worries from the back of Caroline’s mind.
worryingnounUS /ˈwɜːriɪŋ/
the act of harassing someone
From this reading And the awkwardness kept worrying and worrying at the back of Caroline’s mind all through the pleasure of going out in the carriage to make a call by themselves, and the delight of the call, which was diversified by peppermints, a fine collection of butterflies, and being allowed to try and play the harmonium.
