used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
accomplishmentnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
afternoonsnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːnz/
plural of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
(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 "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
bridle-roads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
cavaliernounUS /ˌkævəˈlɪr/
a gallant or courtly gentleman
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
delightsnounUS /dɪˈlaɪts/
plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
dothauxiliary verbUS /dɔːθ/
an old form of “does”
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
equestrianadjectiveUS /ɪˈkwestriən/
of or relating to or composed of knights
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
excursionnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/
a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
eyesightnounUS /ˈaɪsaɪt/
normal use of the faculty of vision
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
falselyadverbUS /ˈfɔːlsli/
in an insincerely false manner
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
inheritverbUS /ˌɪnˈherət/
obtain from someone after their death
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
laborsnounUS /ˈleɪbərz/
plural of “labor” — a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
used to form the superlative
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
absolutely essential
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
and nothing more
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
an amount of time
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
porenounUS /pɔːr/
any tiny hole admitting passage of a liquid (fluid or gas)
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
purchasedverbUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəst/
past form of “purchase” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
relaxationnounUS /ˌriːlækˈseɪʃən/
(physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
try to get or reach
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
SHAKESPEAREnounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading SHAKESPEARE.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
the season of growth
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
studentsnounUS /ˈstuːdənts/
plural of “student” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
a fact that has been verified
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
vehiclesnounUS /ˈviːhɪkəlz/
plural of “vehicle” — a conveyance that transports people or objects
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading It was now the latter end of spring; but the season had hitherto been backward, with only a few warm and pleasant days.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On one of the afternoons which afforded to the students a relaxation from their usual labors, Ellen was attended by her cavalier in a little excursion over the rough bridle-roads that led from her new residence.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
at the time that
From this reading She was an experienced equestrian,--a necessary accomplishment at that period, when vehicles of every kind were rare.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain, Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth, the while, Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look."
