used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
for the reason that
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
biggeradjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
civilitynounUS /səˈvɪləti/
formal or perfunctory politeness
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
a small house with a single story
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
enchanternounUS /enˈtʃæntər/
a sorcerer or magician
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
happiestadjectiveUS /ˈhæpiəst/
superlative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
imaginableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənəbəl/
capable of being imagined
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
MerlinnounUS /ˈmɜːrlɪn/
(Arthurian legend) the magician who acted as King Arthur's advisor
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
used to form the superlative
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
not any; not one
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
observingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
platternounUS /ˈplætər/
a large shallow dish used for serving food
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
ploughmannoun
a man who plows
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
ploughman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
questionedverbUS /ˈkwestʃənd/
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
refreshmentnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənt/
snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
a male human offspring
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
sorrowfuladjectiveUS /ˈsɑːroʊfəl/
experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially that associated with irreparable loss
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
a special situation
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
THUMBnounUS /θʌm/
the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
male cat
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
precisely as stated
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading TOM THUMB In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Merlin could not help observing, that, although every thing within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
