used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
anew
From this reading Then the music began again, and with their brooms in front of them, they ran out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The music stopped with a quick chord, the chimney-sweeps dropped to their knees and pointed their brooms at the figure in the middle.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Then the music began again, and with their brooms in front of them, they ran out.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
broomsnounUS /bruːmz/
plural of “broom” — a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
From this reading The music stopped with a quick chord, the chimney-sweeps dropped to their knees and pointed their brooms at the figure in the middle.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
chimney-sweeps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
chordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a straight line connecting two points on a curve
From this reading The music stopped with a quick chord, the chimney-sweeps dropped to their knees and pointed their brooms at the figure in the middle.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading Timothy and his guide stood up, and moved onward with the crowd.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
well in the past; former
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
dittynounUS /ˈdɪti/
a short simple song (or the words of a poem intended to be sung)
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading The music stopped with a quick chord, the chimney-sweeps dropped to their knees and pointed their brooms at the figure in the middle.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The music stopped with a quick chord, the chimney-sweeps dropped to their knees and pointed their brooms at the figure in the middle.
flocksnounUS /flɑːks/
plural of “flock” — a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Then the music began again, and with their brooms in front of them, they ran out.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading Timothy and his guide stood up, and moved onward with the crowd.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
Jack-o
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading The music stopped with a quick chord, the chimney-sweeps dropped to their knees and pointed their brooms at the figure in the middle.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading The music stopped with a quick chord, the chimney-sweeps dropped to their knees and pointed their brooms at the figure in the middle.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Timothy and his guide stood up, and moved onward with the crowd.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading The music stopped with a quick chord, the chimney-sweeps dropped to their knees and pointed their brooms at the figure in the middle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
onwardadverbUS /ˈɔːnwərd/
forward in time or order or degree
From this reading Timothy and his guide stood up, and moved onward with the crowd.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then the music began again, and with their brooms in front of them, they ran out.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
having a point
From this reading The music stopped with a quick chord, the chimney-sweeps dropped to their knees and pointed their brooms at the figure in the middle.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading The music stopped with a quick chord, the chimney-sweeps dropped to their knees and pointed their brooms at the figure in the middle.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Then the music began again, and with their brooms in front of them, they ran out.
rollickingadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːlɪkɪŋ/
given to merry frolicking
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
Identical; not different.
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
shepherdsnounUS /ˈʃepərdz/
plural of “shepherd” — a clergyman who watches over a group of people
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
softly-bleating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
not in physical motion
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Timothy and his guide stood up, and moved onward with the crowd.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The music stopped with a quick chord, the chimney-sweeps dropped to their knees and pointed their brooms at the figure in the middle.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
the-Green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the music began again, and with their brooms in front of them, they ran out.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
TimothynounUS /ˈtɪməθi/
grass with long cylindrical spikes grown in northern United States and Europe for hay
From this reading Timothy and his guide stood up, and moved onward with the crowd.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading They joined hands and danced around him in a circle, still to the same rollicking measure, while Jack-o'-the-Green, peering through his covering of branches and leaves, bowed to each one in turn.
a Caucasian
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The shepherds departed with their flocks of white, softly-bleating sheep, but before the audience had time to wish them back, a gay, rollicking ditty struck up, and the chimney-sweeps came running in, Jack-o'-the-Green leading.
