used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
(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 When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
altruismnounUS /ˈæltruːɪzəm/
the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But perhaps we have not yet learned human sympathy; or perhaps it is the divine that we should have instead.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
emanating from God
From this reading But perhaps we have not yet learned human sympathy; or perhaps it is the divine that we should have instead.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
an opposing military force
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
divisible by two
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
gentlestadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentələst/
superlative of “gentle” — soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading MAMIE GOES TO THE SHOW.
GracienounUS /ˈɡreɪsi/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading But perhaps we have not yet learned human sympathy; or perhaps it is the divine that we should have instead.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
MAMIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAMIE GOES TO THE SHOW.
the force of workers available
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
not any; not one
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
noblestadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊblɪst/
superlative of “noble” — impressive in appearance
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
on one occasion
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
and nothing more
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But perhaps we have not yet learned human sympathy; or perhaps it is the divine that we should have instead.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
by chance
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But perhaps we have not yet learned human sympathy; or perhaps it is the divine that we should have instead.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading MAMIE GOES TO THE SHOW.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
express in speech
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
streamsnounUS /striːmz/
plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MAMIE GOES TO THE SHOW.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MAMIE GOES TO THE SHOW.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But perhaps we have not yet learned human sympathy; or perhaps it is the divine that we should have instead.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
at the time that
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
in the company of; together with
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading There are times when rocks and woods and fields and streams speak to us with sympathy no human being seems to have; why is it, I wonder?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
yearningnounUS /ˈjɜːrnɪŋ/
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading Gracie had looked forward with a yearning she would not even to herself allow to the summer and her coming to her father’s home once more.
but in spite of that
From this reading When nature was an enemy and men were savages, they seemed unconscious of her and thought only of each other; now that men have all learned human sympathy, and altruism is the cry, some, and those perhaps the gentlest and the noblest of us all, must fly to nature for a refuge yet.
