used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
ALASexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
Artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Art is long, time fleeting.
have
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
a long seat for more than one person
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
the two together, not just one
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
close-written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
cluenounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
conningverbUS /ˈkɑːnɪŋ/
inflected form of “con” — deprive of by deceit
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
diligentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪlədʒəntli/
with diligence; in a diligent manner
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
fleetingadjectiveUS /ˈfliːtɪŋ/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading Art is long, time fleeting.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
gypsiesnounUS /ˈdʒɪpsiz/
plural of “gypsy” — a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
heirnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
hopefuladjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpfəl/
having or manifesting hope
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Art is long, time fleeting.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
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 Art is long, time fleeting.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
a form of address for a man
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
playwrightnounUS /ˈpleɪraɪt/
someone who writes plays
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
remembrancenounUS /riˈmembrəns/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
sacknounUS /sæk/
a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
sharpenverbUS /ˈʃɑːrpən/
make sharp or sharper
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
threadsnounUS /θredz/
informal terms for clothing
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Art is long, time fleeting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
precisely as stated
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
