used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The family consisted of a father, a mother, five children, a grandfather and an orphan niece.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
blocksnounUS /blɑːks/
plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The family consisted of a father, a mother, five children, a grandfather and an orphan niece.
coatedadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊtəd/
having a coating; covered with an outer layer or film; often used in combination
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading The family consisted of a father, a mother, five children, a grandfather and an orphan niece.
Daly's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
Durane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
Duranes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
divisible by two
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
a social unit living together
From this reading The family consisted of a father, a mother, five children, a grandfather and an orphan niece.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The family consisted of a father, a mother, five children, a grandfather and an orphan niece.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The family consisted of a father, a mother, five children, a grandfather and an orphan niece.
fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading The family consisted of a father, a mother, five children, a grandfather and an orphan niece.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
Inishmaan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
lumpsnounUS /lʌmps/
plural of “lump” — a compact mass
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
mortarnounUS /ˈmɔːrtər/
a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The family consisted of a father, a mother, five children, a grandfather and an orphan niece.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading The family consisted of a father, a mother, five children, a grandfather and an orphan niece.
O'Malleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
and nothing more
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
orphannounUS /ˈɔːrfən/
a child who has lost both parents
From this reading The family consisted of a father, a mother, five children, a grandfather and an orphan niece.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
by chance
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
plasterverbUS /ˈplæstər/
apply a heavy coat to
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
Identical; not different.
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
Shanmodal verbUS /ʃæn/
the form of “shall” used in the contraction “shan’t”
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
south-eastern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading At the extreme south-eastern end of the island, upon the same step or level of rock, but about half a mile farther on than the O’Malleys, lived the Duranes.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading There was only one room in the whole house, and that room was about twenty feet long by twelve or perhaps fourteen feet wide.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The walls had, seemingly, never been coated with plaster, and even the mortar between the blocks of stone had fallen out, and been replaced from the inside by lumps of turf or mud as necessity occurred.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading Their cabin was the smallest and worst, next to Shan Daly’s, on Inishmaan, but then they were Duranes, and Durane is one of the best established names on the island.
