used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
aspirinnounUS /ˈæsprɪn/
the acetylated derivative of salicylic acid; used as an analgesic anti-inflammatory drug (trade names Bayer, Empirin, and St. Joseph) usually taken in tablet form; used as an antipyretic; slows clotting of the blood by poisoning platelets
From this reading The next day she had a headache, but took aspirin, and pronounced herself well enough for the trip to Soissons.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
BeckettnounUS /ˈbekɪt/
a playwright and novelist (born in Ireland) who lived in France; wrote plays for the theater of the absurd (1906-1989)
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
Bitry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
cathedralnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəl/
any large and important church
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
Compiegne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Little did I think, Padre, to write you from Soissons!
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The next day she had a headache, but took aspirin, and pronounced herself well enough for the trip to Soissons.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
field-glasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The next day she had a headache, but took aspirin, and pronounced herself well enough for the trip to Soissons.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Little did I think, Padre, to write you from Soissons!
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
headachenounUS /ˈhedeɪk/
something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
From this reading The next day she had a headache, but took aspirin, and pronounced herself well enough for the trip to Soissons.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The next day she had a headache, but took aspirin, and pronounced herself well enough for the trip to Soissons.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Little did I think, Padre, to write you from Soissons!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
immediately past
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Little did I think, Padre, to write you from Soissons!
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day she had a headache, but took aspirin, and pronounced herself well enough for the trip to Soissons.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
PadrenounUS /ˈpædreɪ/
a chaplain in one of the military services
From this reading Little did I think, Padre, to write you from Soissons!
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading The next day she had a headache, but took aspirin, and pronounced herself well enough for the trip to Soissons.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
Ravin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
ravinenounUS /rəˈviːn/
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The next day she had a headache, but took aspirin, and pronounced herself well enough for the trip to Soissons.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
Soissonsnoun
a battle in World War I (May 1918); the Germans tried to attack before the American numbers were too great to defeat; the tactical success of the Germans proved to be a strategic failure
From this reading Little did I think, Padre, to write you from Soissons!
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
stungadjectiveUS /stʌŋ/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
thankfullyadverbUS /ˈθæŋkfəli/
in a thankful manner; with thanks
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Little did I think, Padre, to write you from Soissons!
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Little did I think, Padre, to write you from Soissons!
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The next day she had a headache, but took aspirin, and pronounced herself well enough for the trip to Soissons.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading The next day she had a headache, but took aspirin, and pronounced herself well enough for the trip to Soissons.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Then we lost ourselves in the Ravin de Bitry, and arrived thankfully at Compiegne two hours later than we had planned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We expected to have part of a day at Soissons, but--I told you of the dreadful flies in that ravine of death, and how Mother Beckett was stung on the throat.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The next day she had a headache, but took aspirin, and pronounced herself well enough for the trip to Soissons.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
at the time that
From this reading When last I spoke to you about it, we were gazing through field-glasses at the single tower of the cathedral, pointing out of purple shadows toward the evening star of hope.
produce a literary work
From this reading Little did I think, Padre, to write you from Soissons!
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Little did I think, Padre, to write you from Soissons!
