used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
beernounUS /bɪr/
a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
CauliflowernounUS /ˈkɑːləflaʊər/
a plant having a large edible head of crowded white flower buds
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
cheesenounUS /tʃiːz/
a solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
claynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
Claybury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's a pity it couldn't ha' lasted my time."
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
elmsnounUS /elmz/
plural of “elm” — any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
the organ of sight
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
in a gradual manner
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
(astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day
From this reading "It's a pity it couldn't ha' lasted my time."
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's a pity it couldn't ha' lasted my time."
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/
past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time
From this reading "It's a pity it couldn't ha' lasted my time."
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
mammothadjectiveUS /ˈmæməθ/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading "It's a pity it couldn't ha' lasted my time."
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
regretfuladjectiveUS /rɪˈɡretfəl/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
repaintingverbUS /riˈpeɪntɪŋ/
-ing form of “repaint” — paint again
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
respitenounUS /ˈrespɪt/
a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
sandwichesnounUS /ˈsændwɪtʃɪz/
plural of “sandwich” — two (or more) slices of bread with a filling between them
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
seventyadjectiveUS /ˈsevənti/
being ten more than sixty
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
sign-painter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
signboardnoun
structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
slicenounUS /slaɪs/
a share of something
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
thirstnounUS /θɜːrst/
a physiological need to drink
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
untiedadjectiveUS /ənˈtaɪd/
not tied
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading At the other side of the table the oldest man in Claybury, drawing gently at a long clay pipe, turned a dim and regretful eye up at the old signboard.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading On the old table under the shade of the elms mammoth sandwiches and a large slice of cheese waited in an untied handkerchief until such time as his thirst should be satisfied.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
well-earned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
which person or people
From this reading The travelling sign-painter who was repainting the sign of the "Cauliflower" was enjoying a well-earned respite from his labours.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
a late time of life
From this reading "I've drunk my beer under it for pretty near seventy years," he said, with a sigh.
