used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
afootadverbUS /əˈfʊt/
on foot; walking
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
applyverbUS /əˈplaɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
cancelverbUS /ˈkænsəl/
postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
doest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
eighteenadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːn/
being one more than seventeen
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
divisible by two
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
ten 10s
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
KHAYYAM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OMAR KHAYYAM.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
lurenounUS /lʊr/
qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
MovesnounUS /muːvz/
plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
in motion
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
OMAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OMAR KHAYYAM.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
PietynounUS /ˈpaɪəti/
righteousness by virtue of being pious
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
premeditatedadjectiveUS /priˈmedəteɪtɪd/
characterized by deliberate purpose and some degree of planning
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
with speed
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
sarcasmnounUS /ˈsɑːrkæzəm/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
move stealthily
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
express in speech
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
not in physical motion
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
tenderlyadverbUS /ˈtendərli/
with tenderness; in a tender manner
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
urgentlyadverbUS /ˈɜːrdʒəntli/
with great urgency
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
at the time that
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What thou doest do quickly, for even while we speak those to whom we feel tenderly grow old and grey, and slip beyond the reach of human comfort.
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
the words that are spoken
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
writnounUS /rɪt/
(law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
writesverbUS /raɪts/
third-person singular of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
a late time of life
From this reading "What thou doest do quickly," has been advice which, in its melancholy sarcasm, has been followed for eighteen hundred years when any special evil has been afoot in the dark.
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet surely the words apply still more urgently when the doing that is premeditated is good.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "The moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it."
