used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
(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 THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
any person at all
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/
plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
for the reason that
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading All their neighbours, being poor, looked up to the family--insomuch that they imagined themselves great people.
the two together, not just one
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
CHARITYnounUS /ˈtʃerɪti/
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
CHILDE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
civillyadverbUS /ˈsɪvɪli/
in a civil manner
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
a female human offspring
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
your usual mood
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
dowrynounUS /ˈdaʊri/
money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
a social unit living together
From this reading All their neighbours, being poor, looked up to the family--insomuch that they imagined themselves great people.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
flocksnounUS /flɑːks/
plural of “flock” — a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
a young female
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
highest in quality
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
herdsnounUS /hɜːrdz/
plural of “herd” — a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading All their neighbours, being poor, looked up to the family--insomuch that they imagined themselves great people.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
insomuchadverb
to such an extent or degree; so
From this reading All their neighbours, being poor, looked up to the family--insomuch that they imagined themselves great people.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading All their neighbours, being poor, looked up to the family--insomuch that they imagined themselves great people.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading All their neighbours, being poor, looked up to the family--insomuch that they imagined themselves great people.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
not any; not one
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
on one occasion
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
orphannounUS /ˈɔːrfən/
a child who has lost both parents
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
peacocksnounUS /ˈpiːkɑːks/
plural of “peacock” — European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading All their neighbours, being poor, looked up to the family--insomuch that they imagined themselves great people.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading All their neighbours, being poor, looked up to the family--insomuch that they imagined themselves great people.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
richestadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtʃəst/
superlative of “rich” — possessing material wealth
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
express in speech
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
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 THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading All their neighbours, being poor, looked up to the family--insomuch that they imagined themselves great people.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "Now it happened that though she was their near relation, they had this opinion of the orphan girl, partly because she had no fortune, and partly because of her humble, kindly disposition.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading All their neighbours, being poor, looked up to the family--insomuch that they imagined themselves great people.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
at the time that
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
which person or people
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He had houses and lands, flocks and herds, many servants to work about his house and fields, a wife who had brought him a great dowry, and two fair daughters.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The father and mother were as proud as peacocks; the daughters thought themselves the greatest beauties in the world, and not one of the family would speak civilly to anybody they thought low.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading THE STORY OF CHILDE CHARITY "Once upon a time, there lived in the west country a little girl who had neither father nor mother; they both died when she was very young, and left their daughter to the care of her uncle, who was the richest farmer in all that country.
