used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At school it was no better.
bafflingadjectiveUS /ˈbæfəlɪŋ/
making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading At school it was no better.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
of short duration or distance
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
convertsnounUS /ˈkɑːnvərts/
plural of “convert” — a person who has been converted to another religious or political belief
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
fire-crackers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
gropeverbUS /ɡroʊp/
feel about uncertainly or blindly
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
hop-scotch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
hurlingnounUS /ˈhɜːrlɪŋ/
a traditional Irish game resembling hockey; played by two teams of 15 players each
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At school it was no better.
kickverbUS /kɪk/
drive or propel with the foot
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
misleadingadjectiveUS /mɪˈsliːdɪŋ/
designed to deceive or mislead either deliberately or inadvertently
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
Molloy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
NancenounUS /næns/
offensive term for a homosexual man
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
not any; not one
From this reading At school it was no better.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
passer-bynoun
a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
a course of conduct
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
an amount of time
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
permanentadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrmənənt/
continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
PROBATIONnounUS /proʊˈbeɪʃən/
a trial period during which your character and abilities are tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for membership
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
established beyond doubt
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
punishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌnɪʃt/
subjected to a penalty (as pain or shame or restraint or loss) for an offense or fault or in order to coerce some behavior (as a confession or obedience)
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
the act of punishing
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
righteousnessnounUS /ˈraɪtʃəsnəs/
adhering to moral principles
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
salutaryadjectiveUS /ˈsæljəteri/
tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
an educational institution
From this reading At school it was no better.
not often
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
make square
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
a special situation
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
hard to endure
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading The law that allowed a man to sell her fire-crackers and then punished her for firing them off, that allowed any passer-by to kick her stone off the hop-scotch square and punished her for hurling; the stone after him, was a baffling and difficult thing to understand.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The fear of being "took up" proved a salutary influence, but permanent converts are seldom made through fear of punishment alone.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading ON PROBATION For a brief period Nance Molloy walked the paths of righteousness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was trying by imitation and suggestion to grope her way upward, but the light she climbed by was a borrowed light which swung far above her head and threw strange, misleading shadows across her path.
