used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CANDID MINISTER.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
attractingverbUS /əˈtræktɪŋ/
-ing form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
Audrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
brisklyadverbUS /ˈbrɪskli/
in a brisk manner
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
CANDIDadjectiveUS /ˈkændəd/
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading A CANDID MINISTER.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
CHAUCERnounUS /ˈtʃɔːsər/
English poet remembered as author of the Canterbury Tales (1340-1400)
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
constrainedadjectiveUS /kənˈstreɪnd/
lacking spontaneity; not natural
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
a small house with a single story
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
countrymannounUS /ˈkʌntrimən/
a man from your own country
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
the first light of day
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
desiren
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
Franklin'snounUS /ˈfræŋklənz/
possessive form of “franklin” — United States historian noted for studies of Black American history (born in 1915)
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
libertee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
Lynn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading A CANDID MINISTER.
a particular point in time
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
muffleverbUS /ˈmʌfəl/
suppress in order to conceal or hide
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
ponynounUS /ˈpoʊniː/
a range horse of the western United States
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
reassuredadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrd/
having confidence restored; freed from anxiety
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
repressverbUS /riˈpres/
put down by force or intimidation
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
move stealthily
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
the season of growth
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
a special situation
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
thral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
in the direction of
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
at the time that
From this reading They stepped briskly on along the frosty road, pleased to feel that they were so near the end of their journey, when they were startled by a man bursting from the hedge and hurrying towards them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Audrey could not repress a cry of dismay as she pulled up her cloak to muffle her face; but in a moment she was reassured by a call from the stranger which made Richard spring forward and catch him in his arms.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading CHAUCER, _Franklin's Tale._ The grey dawn was stealing over the land as Audrey and Richard halted at a cottage outside Lynn, and gave the pony into the care of an old countryman, that they might slip into the town without attracting notice.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "Love is a thing as any spirit free, Women of kind desiren libertee, And not to be constrained as a thral."
