used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
Alex
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
in addition
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
for the reason that
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And surely he had been half teasing her from the first.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading For surely a body did not tease where he hated!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
travel across or pass over
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For surely a body did not tease where he hated!
opinion or judgment
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
Fiona
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading And surely he had been half teasing her from the first.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And surely he had been half teasing her from the first.
glinted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading And surely he had been half teasing her from the first.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
happilyadverbUS /ˈhæpəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading It was a warm and happy thing that turned insults to joking and the hatred of Alex to something kinder.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading For surely a body did not tease where he hated!
hatrednounUS /ˈheɪtrəd/
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading It was a warm and happy thing that turned insults to joking and the hatred of Alex to something kinder.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For surely a body did not tease where he hated!
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
insultsnounUS /ˌɪnˈsʌlts/
plural of “insult” — a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
From this reading It was a warm and happy thing that turned insults to joking and the hatred of Alex to something kinder.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a warm and happy thing that turned insults to joking and the hatred of Alex to something kinder.
jokingadjectiveUS /ˈdʒoʊkɪŋ/
characterized by jokes and good humor
From this reading It was a warm and happy thing that turned insults to joking and the hatred of Alex to something kinder.
Kelpie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
kinderadjectiveUS /ˈkaɪndər/
comparative of “kind” — having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It was a warm and happy thing that turned insults to joking and the hatred of Alex to something kinder.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
Marsali
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
and nothing more
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
on one occasion
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was a warm and happy thing that turned insults to joking and the hatred of Alex to something kinder.
stone-floored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kelpie’s blue eyes glinted happily as she hurried into the big stone-floored kitchen, so that Marsali the cook almost smiled at her and Fiona for once forgot to cross herself.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading For surely a body did not tease where he hated!
teaseverbUS /tiːz/
annoy persistently
From this reading For surely a body did not tease where he hated!
teasedadjectiveUS /tiːzd/
feeling mild pleasurable excitement
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
teasingnounUS /ˈtiːzɪŋ/
the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances
From this reading And surely he had been half teasing her from the first.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
a special situation
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
thoughtfuladjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtfəl/
having intellectual depth
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading It was a warm and happy thing that turned insults to joking and the hatred of Alex to something kinder.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading It was a warm and happy thing that turned insults to joking and the hatred of Alex to something kinder.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a warm and happy thing that turned insults to joking and the hatred of Alex to something kinder.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
at the time that
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
in or at the place that
From this reading For surely a body did not tease where he hated!
in the company of; together with
From this reading * * * * * She went back to the house a little later, looking thoughtful and with a pleasant feeling in the heart of her—not merely because, for once, she had got the better of Alex, but also because of the thing that happened between people when they teased.
