used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am glad of it," said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "He is going to be your brother, if you like," was the smiling reply.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
Ben'snounUS /benz/
possessive form of “ben” — a mountain or tall hill
From this reading "I am glad of it," said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading "Is he my brother?" she inquired of Mr. Manning.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
confidinglyadverb
with trust; in a trusting manner
From this reading "I am glad of it," said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
Emma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
a young female
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading "I am glad of it," said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
the act of departing
From this reading "He is going to be your brother, if you like," was the smiling reply.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading "I am glad of it," said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Is he my brother?" she inquired of Mr. Manning.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I am glad of it," said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I am glad of it," said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "He is going to be your brother, if you like," was the smiling reply.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I am glad of it," said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "Is he my brother?" she inquired of Mr. Manning.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Is he my brother?" she inquired of Mr. Manning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I am glad of it," said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "He is going to be your brother, if you like," was the smiling reply.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
ManningverbUS /ˈmænɪŋ/
inflected form of “man” — take charge of a certain job; occupy a certain work place
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
a form of address for a man
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Is he my brother?" she inquired of Mr. Manning.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Is he my brother?" she inquired of Mr. Manning.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading "I am glad of it," said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading "He is going to be your brother, if you like," was the smiling reply.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I am glad of it," said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Is he my brother?" she inquired of Mr. Manning.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading "He is going to be your brother, if you like," was the smiling reply.
carry out
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
precisely as stated
From this reading Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
wardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "He is going to be your brother, if you like," was the smiling reply.
which person or people
From this reading A Curious Old Lady The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "He is going to be your brother, if you like," was the smiling reply.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "He is going to be your brother, if you like," was the smiling reply.
