used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
how long something has existed
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
ChristophernounUS /ˈkrɪstəfər/
Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
clumsyadjectiveUS /ˈklʌmzi/
lacking grace in movement or posture
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
compressedadjectiveUS /kəmˈprest/
pressed tightly together
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
divisible by two
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
frailtynounUS /ˈfreɪlti/
the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
IInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
inward-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
lightnessnounUS /ˈlaɪtnəs/
a feeling of joy and pride
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
Marget's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
not any; not one
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
on one occasion
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
perpetuallyadverbUS /pərˈpetʃuːəli/
everlastingly; for all time
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
SillnounUS /sɪl/
structural member consisting of a continuous horizontal timber forming the lowest member of a framework or supporting structure
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
small or little relative to something else
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
not in physical motion
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading II Christopher Sill sat in the kitchen at Marget’s, waiting to be taken away.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
wash-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading No matter how he compressed himself, or shrank into corners and held his breath, he seemed perpetually in the way.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a tall old man, with broad shoulders that were now bent, blue, inward-looking eyes and quiet ways.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading In spite of his size he gave an impression of lightness which was partly the frailty of age and partly the spirit within, but he was too big for the kitchen, which was smaller than even his wash-house had been at home.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading His feet, too, which had been his innocent pride, once so light in the dance, and still quite neat in spite of their clumsy boots, were, so it seemed, the largest in the world.
