used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
(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 They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
for the reason that
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
blackbirdsnounUS /ˈblækbərdz/
plural of “blackbird” — any bird of the family Icteridae whose male is black or predominantly black
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
cicadasnounUS /sɪˈkeɪdəz/
plural of “cicada” — stout-bodied insect with large membranous wings; male has drum-like organs for producing a high-pitched drone
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
cowsnounUS /kaʊz/
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
cricketsnounUS /ˈkrɪkəts/
plural of “cricket” — leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
crumbsnounUS /krʌmz/
plural of “crumb” — a very small quantity of something
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They killed everything that did not pay for its eating.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
the act of consuming food
From this reading They killed everything that did not pay for its eating.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading They killed everything that did not pay for its eating.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
farmersnounUS /ˈfɑːrmərz/
plural of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
farmingnounUS /ˈfɑːrmɪŋ/
the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They killed everything that did not pay for its eating.
the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
hedgehogsnounUS /ˈhedʒhɑːɡz/
plural of “hedgehog” — relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading They killed everything that did not pay for its eating.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading They killed everything that did not pay for its eating.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
lime-trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They killed everything that did not pay for its eating.
not divisible by two
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading They killed everything that did not pay for its eating.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
pecked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
poisonedverbUS /ˈpɔɪzənd/
past form of “poison” — spoil as if by poison
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
quarrelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
possessing material wealth
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
deliver by singing
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
smotheredadjectiveUS /ˈsmʌðərd/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
suckverbUS /sʌk/
draw into the mouth by creating a practical vacuum in the mouth
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading It would have been very odd, if with such a farm, and such a system of farming, they hadn't got very rich; and very rich they _did_ get.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They killed everything that did not pay for its eating.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
up to a particular time
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
precisely as stated
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
wagesnounUS /ˈweɪdʒəz/
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very good farmers they were.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They shot the blackbirds, because they pecked the fruit; and killed the hedgehogs, lest they should suck the cows; they poisoned the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen; and smothered the cicadas, which used to sing all summer in the lime-trees.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They worked their servants without any wages, till they would not work any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned them out of doors without paying them.
