used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
(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 It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And this pleasure was but rare.
in a state of sleep
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And this pleasure was but rare.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
crystalnounUS /ˈkrɪstəl/
a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
the act of discovering something
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
displeasingadjective
causing displeasure or lacking pleasing qualities
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
your usual mood
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
hankeringnounUS /ˈhæŋkərɪŋ/
a yearning for something or to do something
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
journeysnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrniz/
plural of “journey” — the act of traveling from one place to another
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
lily-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
nightlyadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪtli/
happening every night
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
not any; not one
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
nymphnounUS /nɪmf/
(classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
and nothing more
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading And this pleasure was but rare.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
prudentadjectiveUS /ˈpruːdənt/
careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading And this pleasure was but rare.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
restlesslyadverbUS /ˈrestləsli/
in a restless manner
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
be seated
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And this pleasure was but rare.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
precisely as stated
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And this pleasure was but rare.
water-fairy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
water-man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
water-sprite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
at the time that
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
willowsnounUS /ˈwɪloʊz/
plural of “willow” — any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading Many a night the old water-fairy rose himself to the surface, many a time did his sons sit among the willows; and often the water-man could not sleep, and went restlessly through the rooms of his palace to see that everything was right.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The little water-sprite had to be very prudent, for her cruel father might have made her pay for her nightly journeys with her life, so displeasing to him was her hankering after the human world, and her mild and friendly disposition.
a late time of life
From this reading Years passed by, and with them hope died out from the little girl's soul; nothing remained to her but memory and longing.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It was only on nights when all in the crystal castle were fast asleep, and no discovery was to be feared, that the young nymph hastened to the little soul, opened her prison, by raising the edge of the bell, and rose with her for a sail in the lily-boat.
