used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
anew
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
almanacnounUS /ˈɑːlmənæk/
an annual publication including weather forecasts and other miscellaneous information arranged according to the calendar of a given year
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
aniseednounUS /ˈænəsiːd/
liquorice-flavored seeds, used medicinally and in cooking and liquors
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
borrowverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊ/
get temporarily
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
brothers-in-lawnounUS /ˈbrʌðərzɪnlɔː/
plural of “brother-in-law” — a brother by marriage
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Years went by.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
cookedadjectiveUS /kʊkt/
having been prepared for eating by the application of heat
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
crutchnounUS /krʌtʃ/
a wooden or metal staff that fits under the armpit and reaches to the ground; used by disabled person while walking
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
dishesnounUS /ˈdɪʃəz/
plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
dowrynounUS /ˈdaʊri/
money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
apart from; not including
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
gingernounUS /ˈdʒɪndʒər/
perennial plants having thick branching aromatic rhizomes and leafy reedlike stems
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
Haidehof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How silent it was now in the quiet Haidehof.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
hobbleverbUS /ˈhɑːbəl/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How silent it was now in the quiet Haidehof.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading How silent it was now in the quiet Haidehof.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading How silent it was now in the quiet Haidehof.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
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 The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading How silent it was now in the quiet Haidehof.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading How silent it was now in the quiet Haidehof.
rationsnounUS /ˈræʃənz/
plural of “ration” — the food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
sceptrenounUS /ˈseptər/
the imperial authority symbolized by a scepter
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading How silent it was now in the quiet Haidehof.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
sparinglyadverbUS /ˈsperɪŋli/
to a meager degree or in a meager manner
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Years went by.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
wieldverbUS /wiːld/
have and exercise
From this reading The father could hobble about the house and garden on a crutch, but he had grown much too lazy to wield the sceptre again.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Paul did not know what else to do for him, except to have his favorite dishes cooked, not to measure his rations of ginger and aniseed too sparingly, and to present him each Christmas with a new almanac.
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The sisters had already long been settled as happy wives, their dowry was paid, and the brothers-in-law had already begun to borrow from Paul.
a late time of life
From this reading Years went by.
