used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "They don't look natural to me, somehow," declared Dum, "but kind of manufactured.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
plural of “call” — a telephone connection
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
criss-cross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
made known or openly avowed
From this reading "They don't look natural to me, somehow," declared Dum, "but kind of manufactured.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They don't look natural to me, somehow," declared Dum, "but kind of manufactured.
Dum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They don't look natural to me, somehow," declared Dum, "but kind of manufactured.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
at any time
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
GRILLEnounUS /ɡrɪl/
small opening (like a window in a door) through which business can be transacted
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading "They don't look natural to me, somehow," declared Dum, "but kind of manufactured.
kindergartennounUS /ˈkɪndərɡɑːrtən/
a preschool for children age 4 to 6 to prepare them for primary school
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "They don't look natural to me, somehow," declared Dum, "but kind of manufactured.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
Mammynoun
an offensive term for a Black nursemaid in the southern U.S.
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
manufacturedadjectiveUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərd/
produced in a large-scale industrial operation
From this reading "They don't look natural to me, somehow," declared Dum, "but kind of manufactured.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "They don't look natural to me, somehow," declared Dum, "but kind of manufactured.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading "They don't look natural to me, somehow," declared Dum, "but kind of manufactured.
not one, and not any
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
and nothing more
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
pa'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
palmnounUS /pɑːm/
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
palmettonounUS /pælˈmetoʊ/
any of several low-growing palms with fan-shaped leaves
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading "They don't look natural to me, somehow," declared Dum, "but kind of manufactured.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
tenderlyadverbUS /ˈtendərli/
with tenderness; in a tender manner
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "They don't look natural to me, somehow," declared Dum, "but kind of manufactured.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THROUGH THE GRILLE None of us had ever been so far south before and the palmetto trees were a great astonishment to us.
at the time that
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The trunks with that strange criss-cross effect might have been made by kindergarten children and as for the leaves--I don't believe they are real."
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading "It does seem ridiculous for people to have these great things twenty feet high, growing in their back yards when we nurse them with such care at home and are so proud if we can get one to grow three feet.
a late time of life
From this reading Mammy Susan has a palm, 'pa'm' she calls it, that she has tenderly cared for for four years and it is only about up to my waist now.
