used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Because she was a poet,” whispered the dying man.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “And why did she tell the peasant?” asked the merchant, preparing to return to his interrupted rest.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “And why did she tell the peasant?” asked the merchant, preparing to return to his interrupted rest.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
for the reason that
From this reading “Because she was a poet,” whispered the dying man.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
curvedadjectiveUS /kɜːrvd/
having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
daintilyadverbUS /ˈdeɪntəliː/
in a dainty and fastidious manner
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading “Because she was a poet,” whispered the dying man.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
goosenounUS /ɡuːs/
web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
From this reading “Because,” said the poet, turning over on his side with a little sigh, “because she was a goose.”
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “And why did she tell the peasant?” asked the merchant, preparing to return to his interrupted rest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading “And why did she tell the peasant?” asked the merchant, preparing to return to his interrupted rest.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Because,” said the poet, turning over on his side with a little sigh, “because she was a goose.”
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “Because she was a poet,” whispered the dying man.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Because,” said the poet, turning over on his side with a little sigh, “because she was a goose.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “Because,” said the poet, turning over on his side with a little sigh, “because she was a goose.”
peasantnounUS /ˈpezənt/
a country person
From this reading “And why did she tell the peasant?” asked the merchant, preparing to return to his interrupted rest.
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading “Because she was a poet,” whispered the dying man.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading “And why did she tell the peasant?” asked the merchant, preparing to return to his interrupted rest.
realismnounUS /ˈriːəlɪzəm/
the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading “And why did she tell the peasant?” asked the merchant, preparing to return to his interrupted rest.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading “And why did she tell the peasant?” asked the merchant, preparing to return to his interrupted rest.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading “Because,” said the poet, turning over on his side with a little sigh, “because she was a goose.”
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading “Because,” said the poet, turning over on his side with a little sigh, “because she was a goose.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
express in words
From this reading “And why did she tell the peasant?” asked the merchant, preparing to return to his interrupted rest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “And why did she tell the peasant?” asked the merchant, preparing to return to his interrupted rest.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading “Because,” said the poet, turning over on his side with a little sigh, “because she was a goose.”
VERITAS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
VINOnoun
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Because she was a poet,” whispered the dying man.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading “Because she was a poet,” whispered the dying man.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
wipingverbUS /ˈwaɪpɪŋ/
-ing form of “wipe” — rub with a circular motion
From this reading “Why did she think so?” said the merchant, daintily wiping the curved blade.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Because,” said the poet, turning over on his side with a little sigh, “because she was a goose.”
XXIVnoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-three and one
From this reading XXIV IN VINO VERITAS “The next story,” said the author, “will be an example of grim realism.
