used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Well, Arthur, what difference do you find in the growth of these two kinds of corn?” asked Mr. Mansfield.
barleynounUS /ˈbɑːrli/
a grain of barley
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
a person who is in charge
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
coarseradjectiveUS /ˈkɔːrsər/
comparative of “coarse” — of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
without stop or interruption
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
traveling across
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
wanted intensely
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading “Well, Arthur, what difference do you find in the growth of these two kinds of corn?” asked Mr. Mansfield.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Well, Arthur, what difference do you find in the growth of these two kinds of corn?” asked Mr. Mansfield.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
apart from; not including
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading “Well, Arthur, what difference do you find in the growth of these two kinds of corn?” asked Mr. Mansfield.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
many times at short intervals
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
assemble or get together
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
grandpapa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
grandsonnounUS /ˈɡrændsʌn/
a male grandchild
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
growsverbUS /ɡroʊz/
third-person singular of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
growthnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading “Well, Arthur, what difference do you find in the growth of these two kinds of corn?” asked Mr. Mansfield.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading “Well, Arthur, what difference do you find in the growth of these two kinds of corn?” asked Mr. Mansfield.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
MansfieldnounUS /ˈmænzfiːld/
New Zealand writer of short stories (1888-1923)
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
a form of address for a man
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
and nothing more
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
overtakeverbUS /ˈoʊvərteɪk/
catch up with and possibly overtake
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
go across or through
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
rootnounUS /ruːt/
(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
ryenounUS /raɪ/
the seed of the cereal grass
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
sownadjectiveUS /soʊn/
sprinkled with seed
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
stilenounUS /staɪl/
an upright that is a member in a door or window frame
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “Well, Arthur, what difference do you find in the growth of these two kinds of corn?” asked Mr. Mansfield.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
the upper part of anything
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
precisely as stated
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
(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 “Well, Arthur, what difference do you find in the growth of these two kinds of corn?” asked Mr. Mansfield.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He desired his grandson to gather an ear or two, that he might learn to distinguish between that and barley, which grew in the field through which they were next to pass.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Well, Arthur, what difference do you find in the growth of these two kinds of corn?” asked Mr. Mansfield.
wheatnounUS /wiːt/
annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
which person or people
From this reading Arthur pulled up a root of rye, and then ran to overtake his grandfather, who by this time had got over the stile, and was slowly crossing the barley field.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _The Walk continued._ The next field they came to was sown with rye, which Mr. Mansfield said was a species of corn; and, although much coarser than wheat, was frequently made into bread, and in many places formed the chief food of the poor.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Well, Arthur, what difference do you find in the growth of these two kinds of corn?” asked Mr. Mansfield.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _Arthur._ Indeed, grandpapa, I don’t see any, except that the rye grows very high, as high as the top of your hat, and that the barley only comes to my elbow.
