adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/
the state of being absent
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
accomplishedadjectiveUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/
highly skilled
From this reading Now the Saturday pies and cakes were accomplished and only the strawberries lay between Esther and freedom.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
amusementnounUS /əˈmjuːzmənt/
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
Amy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It would be quite as pleasant to take a book and sit out under the big elm.
AuntnounUS /ænt/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It would be quite as pleasant to take a book and sit out under the big elm.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Now the Saturday pies and cakes were accomplished and only the strawberries lay between Esther and freedom.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It would be quite as pleasant to take a book and sit out under the big elm.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading It would be quite as pleasant to take a book and sit out under the big elm.
brainlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪnlɪs/
not using intelligence
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
cakesnounUS /keɪks/
plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading Now the Saturday pies and cakes were accomplished and only the strawberries lay between Esther and freedom.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
demurredverbUS /dɪˈmɜːrd/
inflected form of “demur” — take exception to
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
effortsnounUS /ˈefərts/
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
elmnounUS /elm/
any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading It would be quite as pleasant to take a book and sit out under the big elm.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
EsternounUS /ˈestər/
organic compound formed by reaction between an acid and an alcohol with elimination of water
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
EsthernounUS /ˈestər/
(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
faintingverbUS /ˈfeɪntɪŋ/
-ing form of “faint” — pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
fatadjectiveUS /fæt/
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
freeverbUS /friː/
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
freedomnounUS /ˈfriːdəm/
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading Now the Saturday pies and cakes were accomplished and only the strawberries lay between Esther and freedom.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
HelpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
helpingnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
hulling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
independentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
free from external control and constraint
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
induceverbUS /ˌɪnˈduːs/
cause to arise
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
insistedverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstəd/
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
intendedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪd/
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Now the Saturday pies and cakes were accomplished and only the strawberries lay between Esther and freedom.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
marguerites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
MarynounUS /ˈmeri/
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
NowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now the Saturday pies and cakes were accomplished and only the strawberries lay between Esther and freedom.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
offeredverbUS /ˈɔːfərd/
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Now the Saturday pies and cakes were accomplished and only the strawberries lay between Esther and freedom.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
piesnounUS /paɪz/
plural of “pie” — dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top
From this reading Now the Saturday pies and cakes were accomplished and only the strawberries lay between Esther and freedom.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It would be quite as pleasant to take a book and sit out under the big elm.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
pupnounUS /pʌp/
young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It would be quite as pleasant to take a book and sit out under the big elm.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
roadnounUS /roʊd/
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
SaturdaynounUS /ˈsætərdi/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It had been a busy day, for owing to the absence of the free and independent "Saturday Help" Esther had insisted upon helping Aunt Amy in the kitchen.
searchverbUS /sɜːrtʃ/
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
shakeverbUS /ʃeɪk/
move or cause to move back and forth
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
sitverbUS /sɪt/
be seated
From this reading It would be quite as pleasant to take a book and sit out under the big elm.
sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
spellverbUS /spel/
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
strawberriesnounUS /ˈstrɔːberiz/
plural of “strawberry” — sweet fleshy red fruit
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading It would be quite as pleasant to take a book and sit out under the big elm.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
tirelessadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərləs/
showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It would be quite as pleasant to take a book and sit out under the big elm.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
walknounUS /wɔːk/
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
watchingnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Now the Saturday pies and cakes were accomplished and only the strawberries lay between Esther and freedom.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ester was sitting upon the back porch, hulling strawberries and watching with absent amusement the tireless efforts of Jane to induce a very fat and entirely brainless pup to shake hands.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be quite as pleasant to take a book and sit out under the big elm.
yesterdaynounUS /ˈjestərdeɪ/
the day immediately before today
From this reading She had intended, a little later, to walk out along the river road in search of marguerites, but when Mary, more than usually restless after her fainting spell of yesterday, had offered to go instead, she had not demurred.
