used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “How queer not to hear a sound,” Margaret said.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The girls entered the ranch house living room and stood looking about.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The girls entered the ranch house living room and stood looking about.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “They are usually at play in the door yard at this hour.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “They are usually at play in the door yard at this hour.
for the reason that
From this reading “Perhaps because we do not hear the shouting of the Mahoy children,” Virg replied.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading “Perhaps because we do not hear the shouting of the Mahoy children,” Virg replied.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading “They are usually at play in the door yard at this hour.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The girls entered the ranch house living room and stood looking about.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The girls entered the ranch house living room and stood looking about.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading “How queer not to hear a sound,” Margaret said.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading “They are usually at play in the door yard at this hour.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The girls entered the ranch house living room and stood looking about.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How queer not to hear a sound,” Margaret said.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “They are usually at play in the door yard at this hour.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The girls entered the ranch house living room and stood looking about.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The girls entered the ranch house living room and stood looking about.
Mahoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps because we do not hear the shouting of the Mahoy children,” Virg replied.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How queer not to hear a sound,” Margaret said.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “How queer not to hear a sound,” Margaret said.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Perhaps because we do not hear the shouting of the Mahoy children,” Virg replied.
by chance
From this reading “Perhaps because we do not hear the shouting of the Mahoy children,” Virg replied.
participate in games or sport
From this reading “They are usually at play in the door yard at this hour.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading “How queer not to hear a sound,” Margaret said.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading The girls entered the ranch house living room and stood looking about.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “Perhaps because we do not hear the shouting of the Mahoy children,” Virg replied.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The girls entered the ranch house living room and stood looking about.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “How queer not to hear a sound,” Margaret said.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading “Perhaps because we do not hear the shouting of the Mahoy children,” Virg replied.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading “How queer not to hear a sound,” Margaret said.
not in physical motion
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The girls entered the ranch house living room and stood looking about.
express a supposition
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The girls entered the ranch house living room and stood looking about.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “They are usually at play in the door yard at this hour.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “They are usually at play in the door yard at this hour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “How queer not to hear a sound,” Margaret said.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
under normal conditions
From this reading “They are usually at play in the door yard at this hour.
Virg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps because we do not hear the shouting of the Mahoy children,” Virg replied.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Perhaps because we do not hear the shouting of the Mahoy children,” Virg replied.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
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 “They are usually at play in the door yard at this hour.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Why does it seem so much more still than usual do you suppose?”
