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Chapter III
"WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door. "I—I was looking to see whether I put my thimble away." Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying. But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble. "Did you think you had lost it, then?" she asked.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “"WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.”
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.”
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.”
apart from; not including
From this reading “But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.”
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.”
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading “"I—I was looking to see whether I put my thimble away."”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I—I was looking to see whether I put my thimble away."
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
apart from; not including
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I—I was looking to see whether I put my thimble away."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Did you think you had lost it, then?" she asked.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I—I was looking to see whether I put my thimble away."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did you think you had lost it, then?" she asked.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I—I was looking to see whether I put my thimble away."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I—I was looking to see whether I put my thimble away."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did you think you had lost it, then?" she asked.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I—I was looking to see whether I put my thimble away."
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was always so timid and frightened that Cousin Debby did not think of any thing being the matter, except that Lucy had been in doubt about her thimble.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I—I was looking to see whether I put my thimble away."
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I—I was looking to see whether I put my thimble away."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading "I—I was looking to see whether I put my thimble away."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Lucy had given a guilty start, and stammered so, as she spoke, that any other child would have been at once suspected of lying.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "WHAT are you doing with the box, Lucy, my dear?" asked Cousin Debby, opening the door.
