used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
Aran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
bodicesnounUS /ˈbɑːdɪsɪz/
plural of “bodice” — part of a dress above the waist
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
captiousadjective
tending to find and call attention to faults
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
carefully weighed
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
Denny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
DumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/
slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
feweradjectiveUS /ˈfjuːər/
(comparative of “few” used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
flannelnounUS /ˈflænəl/
a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
housewivesnounUS /ˈhaʊswaɪvz/
plural of “housewife” — a wife who manages a household while her husband earns the family income
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
inferioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɪriər/
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
Inishmaan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
islesnounUS /aɪlz/
plural of “isle” — a small island
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
for more time
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
makernounUS /ˈmeɪkər/
a person who makes things
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
the force of workers available
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
nephewnounUS /ˈnefjuː/
a son of your brother or sister
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
not any; not one
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
O'Shaughnessy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
practisedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktɪst/
skillful after much practice
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
be standing; be upright
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
not in physical motion
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
suitsnounUS /suːts/
plural of “suit” — a set of garments (usually including a jacket and trousers or skirt) for outerwear all of the same fabric and color
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
Teige
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
in or at that place or location
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
precisely as stated
From this reading It cannot, however, be said to have, so far, reached any very high point of perfection.
nonexistent
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dumb Denny had now been dead some months, but the weaving trade was still carried on by his nephew Teige, though there were not wanting captious housewives ready to cry out that the stuff produced by him was of a very inferior quality to that produced by old Denny.
weaversnounUS /ˈwiːvərz/
plural of “weaver” — a craftsman who weaves cloth
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
weavingnounUS /ˈwiːvɪŋ/
creating fabric
From this reading The art of weaving is one that has been practised upon the Aran isles for a longer time than it is easy to reckon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the time at which this story opened there were no fewer than four professional weavers upon Inishmaan.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
yellowish-whiteadjective
of a white tinged with yellow
From this reading Dumb Denny O’Shaughnessy, however, had always been considered to stand at the top of his profession, especially as the maker of the thick yellowish-white flannel used by the women for their bodices and by the men for their entire suits.
