used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
announceverbUS /əˈnaʊns/
make known; make an announcement
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Then the door burst open and Persis Holmes appeared.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Then the door burst open and Persis Holmes appeared.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
comfortable-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
footstepnounUS /ˈfʊtstep/
the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
the act of departing
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
HolmesnounUS /hoʊmz/
a fictitious detective in stories by A. Conan Doyle
From this reading Then the door burst open and Persis Holmes appeared.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THEY LIVED.
ten 10s
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading HOW THEY LIVED.
a female domestic
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
maidsnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
nation'snounUS /ˈneɪʃənz/
possessive form of “nation” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Then the door burst open and Persis Holmes appeared.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
Persis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the door burst open and Persis Holmes appeared.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
in the near future
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
an educational institution
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
sewingnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
confined on all sides
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOW THEY LIVED.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was in a comfortable-looking house, surrounded by a garden, in the most attractive part of a pleasant city not two hundred miles from the nation’s capital, that the mother of the pretty maids sat sewing one day in early October.
in or at the place that
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was listening for the first footstep which should announce the return of her girls from school.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading And presently she heard the front door shut, then a quick, light step on the stair, and a voice coming nearer and nearer, singing,— “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
