used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading "I am so sorry you spoiled Tommy's garden this afternoon, Annabel," she ventured.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am so sorry you spoiled Tommy's garden this afternoon, Annabel," she ventured.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
Annabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
Annabel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Downstairs in the kitchen Tommy was being comforted by his mother.
bladesnounUS /bleɪdz/
plural of “blade” — especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
BrusselsnounUS /ˈbrʌsəlz/
the capital and largest city of Belgium; seat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Downstairs in the kitchen Tommy was being comforted by his mother.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
comfortedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪd/
made comfortable or more comfortable in a time of distress
From this reading Downstairs in the kitchen Tommy was being comforted by his mother.
DownstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading Downstairs in the kitchen Tommy was being comforted by his mother.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading "I am so sorry you spoiled Tommy's garden this afternoon, Annabel," she ventured.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Downstairs in the kitchen Tommy was being comforted by his mother.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I am so sorry you spoiled Tommy's garden this afternoon, Annabel," she ventured.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Downstairs in the kitchen Tommy was being comforted by his mother.
intricaciesnounUS /ˈɪntrəkəsiz/
plural of “intricacy” — marked by elaborately complex detail
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Downstairs in the kitchen Tommy was being comforted by his mother.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Downstairs in the kitchen Tommy was being comforted by his mother.
obstinacynounUS /ˈɑːbstənəsi/
the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
express in words
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I am so sorry you spoiled Tommy's garden this afternoon, Annabel," she ventured.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading "I am so sorry you spoiled Tommy's garden this afternoon, Annabel," she ventured.
spoiledadjectiveUS /spɔɪld/
having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention
From this reading "I am so sorry you spoiled Tommy's garden this afternoon, Annabel," she ventured.
not in physical motion
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Downstairs in the kitchen Tommy was being comforted by his mother.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I am so sorry you spoiled Tommy's garden this afternoon, Annabel," she ventured.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downstairs in the kitchen Tommy was being comforted by his mother.
Tommy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am so sorry you spoiled Tommy's garden this afternoon, Annabel," she ventured.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
on a floor above
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading "I am so sorry you spoiled Tommy's garden this afternoon, Annabel," she ventured.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Downstairs in the kitchen Tommy was being comforted by his mother.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Annabel's expression was one of sullen obstinacy, her lips were still set in a hard, straight line, and her eyes followed the intricacies of the pattern of the Brussels carpet.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
which person or people
From this reading Miss Margaret hesitated to ask the child if it was she who had torn up the blades of grass, for she feared to prepare the way for a lie.
showing curiosity
From this reading In the upstairs sitting room Annabel and Miss Margaret sat together and Miss Margaret was wondering how she should begin what she had to say.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I am so sorry you spoiled Tommy's garden this afternoon, Annabel," she ventured.
