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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
allowance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
annoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “It would be pleasant for the young people,” she thought, “if Mary did not think it would be too much for her.”
Bee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
bread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
breakfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
brightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
Busy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
butter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
calculated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject of conversation was not precisely calculated to soothe her spirits.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject of conversation was not precisely calculated to soothe her spirits.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
cousin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
dawned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
degree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
deliberation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
devoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
dice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “It would be pleasant for the young people,” she thought, “if Mary did not think it would be too much for her.”
dilatoriness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
eagerness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
employment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
Eve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
fidgeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
fret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
future
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
generations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmamma was talking of giving a young party--a New-year’s party on Monday week, the second of January.
Grandmamma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmamma was talking of giving a young party--a New-year’s party on Monday week, the second of January.
grandpapa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
habitual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
Henrietta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It would be pleasant for the young people,” she thought, “if Mary did not think it would be too much for her.”
January
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmamma was talking of giving a young party--a New-year’s party on Monday week, the second of January.
leisure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It would be pleasant for the young people,” she thought, “if Mary did not think it would be too much for her.”
model
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
Monday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmamma was talking of giving a young party--a New-year’s party on Monday week, the second of January.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It would be pleasant for the young people,” she thought, “if Mary did not think it would be too much for her.”
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
New-year's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmamma was talking of giving a young party--a New-year’s party on Monday week, the second of January.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
overcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Grandmamma was talking of giving a young party--a New-year’s party on Monday week, the second of January.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It would be pleasant for the young people,” she thought, “if Mary did not think it would be too much for her.”
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It would be pleasant for the young people,” she thought, “if Mary did not think it would be too much for her.”
precisely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject of conversation was not precisely calculated to soothe her spirits.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
Saturday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
scalding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmamma was talking of giving a young party--a New-year’s party on Monday week, the second of January.
serve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
soothe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject of conversation was not precisely calculated to soothe her spirits.
sparrow's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject of conversation was not precisely calculated to soothe her spirits.
spread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject of conversation was not precisely calculated to soothe her spirits.
swallowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmamma was talking of giving a young party--a New-year’s party on Monday week, the second of January.
tea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
thereby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It would be pleasant for the young people,” she thought, “if Mary did not think it would be too much for her.”
thorns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It would be pleasant for the young people,” she thought, “if Mary did not think it would be too much for her.”
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It would be pleasant for the young people,” she thought, “if Mary did not think it would be too much for her.”
unnecessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmamma was talking of giving a young party--a New-year’s party on Monday week, the second of January.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa called a sparrow’s allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future generations.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “It would be pleasant for the young people,” she thought, “if Mary did not think it would be too much for her.”
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandmamma was talking of giving a young party--a New-year’s party on Monday week, the second of January.
