used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
braceletnounUS /ˈbreɪslət/
a band of cloth or leather or metal links attached to a wristwatch and wrapped around the wrist
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
circusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/
a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
CrosbynounUS /ˈkrɔːzbi/
United States singer and film actor (1903-1977)
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
earringsnounUS /ˈɪrɪŋz/
plural of “earring” — jewelry to ornament the ear; usually clipped to the earlobe or fastened through a hole in the lobe
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
a feeling of excitement
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
flingverbUS /flɪŋ/
throw with force or recklessness
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
coins made of gold
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
HighlandnounUS /ˈhaɪlənd/
elevated (e.g., mountainous) land
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
Jed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
Jed's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
leapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
Nettie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
performersnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmərz/
plural of “performer” — an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
by chance
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
except for; apart from
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
in or at that place or location
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
waltznounUS /wɔːlts/
an assured victory (especially in an election)
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
We'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
at the time that
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
