Chapter V · Chapter 5

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

lacking funds

From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.

liquid in which meat and vegetables are simmered; used as a basis for e.g. soups or sauces

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

having a strong distaste from surfeit

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

ceramic ware made of porous clay fired at low heat

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

divisible by two

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

opinion or judgment

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.

only a very short time before

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

immediately past

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

on one occasion

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

and nothing more

From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

past form of “scold” — censure severely or angrily

From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.

past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.

be seated

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

a male human offspring

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

inflected form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.

in the direction of

From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.

past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

a shaky motion

From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.

precisely as stated

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

at the time that

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

belonging to which person

From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.