used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading There were, one must admit, extenuating circumstances.
in the past
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading There were, one must admit, extenuating circumstances.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
DERBYSHIRE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
one or the other of two
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
at any time
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
extenuatingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstenjuːeɪtɪŋ/
partially excusing or justifying
From this reading There were, one must admit, extenuating circumstances.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
HAUNTINGadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪŋ/
continually recurring to the mind
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
immediately past
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
the force of workers available
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading There were, one must admit, extenuating circumstances.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were, one must admit, extenuating circumstances.
and nothing more
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
overtakenverbUS /ˈoʊvərteɪkən/
inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
rainstormnounUS /ˈreɪnstɔːrm/
a storm with rain
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
soakedadjectiveUS /soʊkt/
very drunk
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
socksnounUS /sɑːks/
plural of “sock” — hosiery consisting of a cloth covering for the foot; worn inside the shoe; reaches to between the ankle and the knee
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
squished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
not in physical motion
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
SudburynounUS /ˈsʌdberi/
a city in south central Canada in Ontario; a major nickel mining center
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
swearingnounUS /ˈswerɪŋ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
swornadjectiveUS /swɔːrn/
bound by or as if by an oath
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were, one must admit, extenuating circumstances.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
toesnounUS /toʊz/
plural of “toe” — one of the digits of the foot
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
create by training and teaching
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
trudgingverbUS /ˈtrʌdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “trudge” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
vehementlyadverbUS /ˈviːəməntli/
in a vehement manner
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Having missed the last train, they were obliged to walk home, a distance of twelve or more miles, and having been overtaken by a rainstorm, they were soaked to the skin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not the first time they had sworn, not by any means, but it is extremely doubtful if either of them had ever sworn before quite so vehemently.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading True, the rain had now ceased, but as they had covered only six miles, they still had six more to go, and at every step they took, the water in their boots soaked through their socks and squished between their toes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
a late time of life
From this reading THE HEAD A DERBYSHIRE HAUNTING Some few years ago, two men were trudging along a road, not twenty miles from Sudbury, swearing heartily.
