used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “He has been a touching of my geraniums,” said this functionary; “what do he know about a garden?
the state of being absent
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
AugustinenounUS /ˈɑːɡəstiːn/
(Roman Catholic Church) one of the great Fathers of the early Christian church; after a dramatic conversion to Christianity he became bishop of Hippo Regius in North Africa; St. Augustine emphasized man's need for grace (354-430)
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
carnivalnounUS /ˈkɑːrnəvəl/
a festival marked by merrymaking and processions
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
cleaningnounUS /ˈkliːnɪŋ/
the act of making something clean
From this reading Do you ever see me a poking of myself into the pantry a cleaning of his spoons?”
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
dibbling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
diggingnounUS /ˈdɪɡɪŋ/
the act of digging
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
having made preparations
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “He has been a touching of my geraniums,” said this functionary; “what do he know about a garden?
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
at any time
From this reading Do you ever see me a poking of myself into the pantry a cleaning of his spoons?”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
functionarynounUS /ˈfʌŋkʃəneri/
a worker who holds or is invested with an office
From this reading “He has been a touching of my geraniums,” said this functionary; “what do he know about a garden?
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
gardenernounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənər/
someone who takes care of a garden
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
geraniumsnounUS /dʒərˈeɪniəmz/
plural of “geranium” — any of numerous plants of the family Geraniaceae
From this reading “He has been a touching of my geraniums,” said this functionary; “what do he know about a garden?
grumbledverbUS /ˈɡrʌmbəld/
past form of “grumble” — show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “He has been a touching of my geraniums,” said this functionary; “what do he know about a garden?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “He has been a touching of my geraniums,” said this functionary; “what do he know about a garden?
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Do you ever see me a poking of myself into the pantry a cleaning of his spoons?”
mealsnounUS /miːlz/
plural of “meal” — the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
meddled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “He has been a touching of my geraniums,” said this functionary; “what do he know about a garden?
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Do you ever see me a poking of myself into the pantry a cleaning of his spoons?”
not any; not one
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
pantrynounUS /ˈpæntri/
a small storeroom for storing foods or wines
From this reading Do you ever see me a poking of myself into the pantry a cleaning of his spoons?”
plantsnounUS /plænts/
plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
pokingnounUS /ˈpoʊkɪŋ/
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
From this reading Do you ever see me a poking of myself into the pantry a cleaning of his spoons?”
with low volume
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “He has been a touching of my geraniums,” said this functionary; “what do he know about a garden?
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
refrain from harming
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
spoonsnounUS /spuːnz/
plural of “spoon” — a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food
From this reading Do you ever see me a poking of myself into the pantry a cleaning of his spoons?”
StevensnounUS /ˈstiːvənz/
United States psychologist and psychophysicist who proposed Stevens' power law to replace Fechner's law (1906-1973)
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
Susan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
arousing affect
From this reading “He has been a touching of my geraniums,” said this functionary; “what do he know about a garden?
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
precisely as stated
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “He has been a touching of my geraniums,” said this functionary; “what do he know about a garden?
at the time that
From this reading The servants had their own way in most things--they gave Miss Augustine her spare meals when they pleased, though Martha, left in charge, stood over her to see that she ate something.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
Whiteladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
which person or people
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But Stevens stood upon no ceremony--he took off his coat and went into the garden, which was his weakness, and there enjoyed a carnival of digging and dibbling, until the gardener grumbled, who was not disposed to have his plants meddled with.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Miss Susan’s absence from home had been a very short one--she left and returned within the week; and during this time matters went on very quietly at Whiteladies.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Do you ever see me a poking of myself into the pantry a cleaning of his spoons?”
