used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
aggravatedadjectiveUS /ˈæɡrəveɪtɪd/
made more severe or intense especially in law
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
ain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
Bress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
clatternounUS /ˈklætər/
a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
From this reading The rattling had served more than one end, as had the clatter made by putting on the fresh fuel.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
draughtsnounUS /dræfts/
a checkerboard game for two players who each have 12 pieces; the object is to jump over and so capture the opponent's pieces
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
put on clothes
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The rattling had served more than one end, as had the clatter made by putting on the fresh fuel.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
ferventadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrvənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The rattling had served more than one end, as had the clatter made by putting on the fresh fuel.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
fuelverbUS /ˈfjuːəl/
provide with a combustible substance that provides energy
From this reading The rattling had served more than one end, as had the clatter made by putting on the fresh fuel.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
HurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
INVESTIGATIONSnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “investigation” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading MAMMY MAKES INVESTIGATIONS.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The rattling had served more than one end, as had the clatter made by putting on the fresh fuel.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading MAMMY MAKES INVESTIGATIONS.
MAMMYnoun
an offensive term for a Black nursemaid in the southern U.S.
From this reading MAMMY MAKES INVESTIGATIONS.
Mammy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/
the second day of the week; the first working day
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The rattling had served more than one end, as had the clatter made by putting on the fresh fuel.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
not any; not one
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The rattling had served more than one end, as had the clatter made by putting on the fresh fuel.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading The rattling had served more than one end, as had the clatter made by putting on the fresh fuel.
rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/
a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading The rattling had served more than one end, as had the clatter made by putting on the fresh fuel.
replenishedverbUS /riˈplenɪʃt/
past form of “replenish” — fill something that had previously been emptied
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
revolvingverbUS /riˈvɑːlvɪŋ/
-ing form of “revolve” — turn on or around an axis or a center
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
rheumaticnounUS /ruːˈmætɪk/
a person suffering with rheumatism
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
roaringnounUS /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/
a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The rattling had served more than one end, as had the clatter made by putting on the fresh fuel.
move or cause to move back and forth
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
shovelfuls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
snappingverbUS /ˈsnæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
in the near future
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
ter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The rattling had served more than one end, as had the clatter made by putting on the fresh fuel.
ThanksgivingnounUS /ˌθæŋksˈɡɪvɪŋ/
fourth Thursday in November in the United States; second Monday in October in Canada; commemorates a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
twinges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading The fire had been carefully covered the night before, and now, replenished by a few shovelfuls of coal, and a vigorous shake of the revolving grate, was soon snapping and roaring right comfortably.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Hurrying across the room she opened the draughts in the little stove, for Charles’ rheumatic twinges must not be aggravated by the sudden chill of rising from a warm bed to dress in a cold room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Bress de Lord, we ain’t got ter run no counter on Thanksgiving Day!” was Mammy’s fervent exclamation, as she rose from her bed on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving Day.
