used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And what were childhood, wanting you?"
anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/
the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
applenounUS /ˈæpəl/
fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
applesnounUS /ˈæpəlz/
plural of “apple” — fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
assortmentnounUS /əˈsɔːrtmənt/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
beadsnounUS /biːdz/
several beads threaded together on a string
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
bright-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
buttonsnounUS /ˈbʌtənz/
plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading And what were childhood, wanting you?"
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading "What did the other children do?
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
crullernoun
small friedcake formed into twisted strips and fried; richer than doughnuts
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
crullers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "What did the other children do?
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What did the other children do?
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
take in solid food
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
enclose with a fence
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
a young female
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "What did the other children do?
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
post-and-rail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
a lightweight cord
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "What did the other children do?
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
toysnounUS /tɔɪz/
plural of “toy” — an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
the topmost one of two
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
nonexistent
From this reading And what were childhood, wanting you?"
Wenners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And what were childhood, wanting you?"
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What did the other children do?
at the time that
From this reading When they were arranged to her satisfaction, she took an apple in one hand and a cruller in the other, and, climbing the fence, perched on the upper rail and began to eat.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading There were a few glass beads, a string of buttons, half a dozen small, worn toys, a basket of early apples, and a plate of crullers.
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 Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading And what were childhood, wanting you?"
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Across the angle of the post-and-rail fence at the lower corner of the Wenners' yard, a board had been laid, and behind the board stood a short, slender, bright-eyed young girl, her hands busy with an assortment of small articles spread out before her.
