used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A year passed.
(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 And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The reeds seemed to be whispering the story one to another: "Midas has ass's ears."
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
ass's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reeds seemed to be whispering the story one to another: "Midas has ass's ears."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The reeds seemed to be whispering the story one to another: "Midas has ass's ears."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
placed in a grave
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
clumpnounUS /klʌmp/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The reeds seemed to be whispering the story one to another: "Midas has ass's ears."
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
a person who operates a farm
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
flocksnounUS /flɑːks/
plural of “flock” — a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
in a gradual manner
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
goatherds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
goodwife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The reeds seemed to be whispering the story one to another: "Midas has ass's ears."
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
MidasnounUS /ˈmaɪdəs/
(Greek legend) the greedy king of Phrygia who Dionysus gave the power to turn everything he touched into gold
From this reading The reeds seemed to be whispering the story one to another: "Midas has ass's ears."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
information about recent and important events
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The reeds seemed to be whispering the story one to another: "Midas has ass's ears."
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A year passed.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
quiveringnounUS /ˈkwɪvərɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
reedsnounUS /riːdz/
plural of “reed” — tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
rustled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The reeds seemed to be whispering the story one to another: "Midas has ass's ears."
shedsnounUS /ʃedz/
plural of “shed” — an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
in the near future
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
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 reeds seemed to be whispering the story one to another: "Midas has ass's ears."
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
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 And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
express in words
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
thatchedverbUS /θætʃt/
past form of “thatch” — cover with thatch
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
at the time that
From this reading And the wind carried the news to the reeds on the thatched sheds of the farm, so that they were soon quivering to tell their tale--when the farmer came in to supper, his goodwife called to him: "Such a funny saying has been running in my head all day--where it comes from is a mystery: 'Midas has ass's ears.'"
in or at the place that
From this reading A clump of reeds had grown on the spot where the fatal secret lay buried.
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading The reeds seemed to be whispering the story one to another: "Midas has ass's ears."
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The reeds rustled gently as they were stirred by the south wind, and the goatherds passing by with their flocks were drawn to the place by the strange sounds that arose.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading A year passed.
