used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading And there would be a lot of hens that I would take care of myself, for I am dreadfully interested in hens.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
barnsnounUS /bɑːrnz/
plural of “barn” — an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
basket-phaeton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should like best a red horse with a white mane, a horse that looked wild; and a little light basket-phaeton.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
berrynounUS /ˈberi/
any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading I should like best a red horse with a white mane, a horse that looked wild; and a little light basket-phaeton.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
calvesnounUS /kævz/
plural of “calf” — young of domestic cattle
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading And there would be a lot of hens that I would take care of myself, for I am dreadfully interested in hens.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
cowsnounUS /kaʊz/
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading And I would drive, and crack my whip--oh, how I would snap it!
dreadfullyadverbUS /ˈdredfəli/
of a dreadful kind
From this reading And there would be a lot of hens that I would take care of myself, for I am dreadfully interested in hens.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading And I would drive, and crack my whip--oh, how I would snap it!
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
empressnounUS /ˈempres/
a woman emperor or the wife of an emperor
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
farmhousenounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊs/
house for a farmer and family
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
the act of departing
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
hensnounUS /henz/
plural of “hen” — adult female chicken
From this reading And there would be a lot of hens that I would take care of myself, for I am dreadfully interested in hens.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading I should like best a red horse with a white mane, a horse that looked wild; and a little light basket-phaeton.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading And there would be a lot of hens that I would take care of myself, for I am dreadfully interested in hens.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And I would drive, and crack my whip--oh, how I would snap it!
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading I should like best a red horse with a white mane, a horse that looked wild; and a little light basket-phaeton.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I should like best a red horse with a white mane, a horse that looked wild; and a little light basket-phaeton.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I should like best a red horse with a white mane, a horse that looked wild; and a little light basket-phaeton.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading And there would be a lot of hens that I would take care of myself, for I am dreadfully interested in hens.
manenounUS /meɪn/
long coarse hair growing from the crest of the animal's neck
From this reading I should like best a red horse with a white mane, a horse that looked wild; and a little light basket-phaeton.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
in motion
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And I would drive, and crack my whip--oh, how I would snap it!
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading And there would be a lot of hens that I would take care of myself, for I am dreadfully interested in hens.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading And I would drive, and crack my whip--oh, how I would snap it!
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
out-houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
pasturesnounUS /ˈpæstʃərz/
plural of “pasture” — a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
pearsnounUS /perz/
plural of “pear” — sweet juicy gritty-textured fruit available in many varieties
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
To recall to mind.
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I should like best a red horse with a white mane, a horse that looked wild; and a little light basket-phaeton.
snapverbUS /snæp/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading And I would drive, and crack my whip--oh, how I would snap it!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
carry out
From this reading And there would be a lot of hens that I would take care of myself, for I am dreadfully interested in hens.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And there would be a lot of hens that I would take care of myself, for I am dreadfully interested in hens.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
two times
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
in or to any place at all
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
whipverbUS /wɪp/
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading And I would drive, and crack my whip--oh, how I would snap it!
a Caucasian
From this reading I should like best a red horse with a white mane, a horse that looked wild; and a little light basket-phaeton.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading I should like best a red horse with a white mane, a horse that looked wild; and a little light basket-phaeton.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading MOVING Twice, that I can remember, Father had tried to get a position off in the country, and each time I had been so sure we were going to move that I had imagined exactly how everything would be in our new home.
an affirmative
From this reading A big old farmhouse, yes, for I like old, old houses; an immense garden, with empress pears and every possible kind of berry; big red barns and out-houses; big pastures all around; cows and calves, and horses to go driving with wherever I wished.
