used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A few more chairs at the hearth—a few more loaves on the table—that was all.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boys? oh, yes, the boys; well, they outgrew jackets, and went into longtailed coats and “stores.”
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading A few more chairs at the hearth—a few more loaves on the table—that was all.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
coatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading The boys? oh, yes, the boys; well, they outgrew jackets, and went into longtailed coats and “stores.”
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
complaintnounUS /kəmˈpleɪnt/
an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few more chairs at the hearth—a few more loaves on the table—that was all.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
the act of departing
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading A few more chairs at the hearth—a few more loaves on the table—that was all.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The boys? oh, yes, the boys; well, they outgrew jackets, and went into longtailed coats and “stores.”
jacketsnounUS /ˈdʒækɪts/
plural of “jacket” — a short coat
From this reading The boys? oh, yes, the boys; well, they outgrew jackets, and went into longtailed coats and “stores.”
loavesnounUS /loʊvz/
plural of “loaf” — a shaped mass of baked bread that is usually sliced before eating
From this reading A few more chairs at the hearth—a few more loaves on the table—that was all.
longtailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys? oh, yes, the boys; well, they outgrew jackets, and went into longtailed coats and “stores.”
matronlyadjectiveUS /ˈmeɪtrənli/
befitting or characteristic of a fully mature woman
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
misfortunesnounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “misfortune” — unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A few more chairs at the hearth—a few more loaves on the table—that was all.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
not any; not one
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading The boys? oh, yes, the boys; well, they outgrew jackets, and went into longtailed coats and “stores.”
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A few more chairs at the hearth—a few more loaves on the table—that was all.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
outgrewverbUS /ˌaʊtˈɡruː/
inflected form of “outgrow” — grow too large or too mature for
From this reading The boys? oh, yes, the boys; well, they outgrew jackets, and went into longtailed coats and “stores.”
patriarchnounUS /ˈpeɪtriɑːrk/
title for the heads of the Eastern Orthodox Churches (in Istanbul and Alexandria and Moscow and Jerusalem)
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
reproachnounUS /riˈproʊtʃ/
a mild rebuke or criticism
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
separatingverbUS /ˈsepəreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “separate” — act as a barrier between; stand between
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
silver-hairedadjective
having hair the color of silver
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
refrain from harming
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
storesnounUS /stɔːrz/
plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading The boys? oh, yes, the boys; well, they outgrew jackets, and went into longtailed coats and “stores.”
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading A few more chairs at the hearth—a few more loaves on the table—that was all.
tastesnounUS /teɪsts/
plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
theirspronounUS /ðerz/
the one or ones belonging to them
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Not a complaint, not a reproach for their misfortunes (for such things _have_ been) from the silver-haired old patriarch.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A few more chairs at the hearth—a few more loaves on the table—that was all.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The boys? oh, yes, the boys; well, they outgrew jackets, and went into longtailed coats and “stores.”
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He, smiling, blessed them all the same, rising up and sitting down, going out and coming in—they and theirs; that they were poor and desolate built up no separating wall between him and them.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading There was enough and to spare in that father’s house, for their tastes were simple, and the morning and evening prayer went up on as strong wings of faith as if no cloud had settled on the fair, matronly faces about him.
an affirmative
From this reading The boys? oh, yes, the boys; well, they outgrew jackets, and went into longtailed coats and “stores.”
