used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
anew
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
breakneckadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪknek/
moving at very high speed
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
breathesverbUS /briːðz/
third-person singular of “breathe” — draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
bridle-rein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading If the horse had not been stopped there could not have been the least possible chance of their escape.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If the horse had not been stopped there could not have been the least possible chance of their escape.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
dellnounUS /del/
a small wooded hollow
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading If the horse had not been stopped there could not have been the least possible chance of their escape.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
the act of giving
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
hold firmly
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
gullynounUS /ˈɡʌli/
deep ditch cut by running water (especially after a prolonged downpour)
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading If the horse had not been stopped there could not have been the least possible chance of their escape.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the horse had not been stopped there could not have been the least possible chance of their escape.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading If the horse had not been stopped there could not have been the least possible chance of their escape.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
a particular point in time
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If the horse had not been stopped there could not have been the least possible chance of their escape.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
o'eradverb
throughout a period of time
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
odournounUS /ˈoʊdər/
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
parapetnounUS /ˈperəpet/
a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading If the horse had not been stopped there could not have been the least possible chance of their escape.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
RecognitionnounUS /ˌrekəɡˈnɪʃən/
the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged
From this reading Recognition.
remedied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
shudderedverbUS /ˈʃʌdərd/
past form of “shudder” — shake, as from cold
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
spannedverbUS /spænd/
inflected form of “span” — to cover or extend over an area or time period
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
StealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading If the horse had not been stopped there could not have been the least possible chance of their escape.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
TempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If the horse had not been stopped there could not have been the least possible chance of their escape.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If the horse had not been stopped there could not have been the least possible chance of their escape.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
violetsnounUS /ˈvaɪələts/
plural of “violet” — any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading "That strain again; it had a dying fall: Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour."--_Tempest_.
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 When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
at the time that
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I expect this breakneck place will be remedied now," he said, "that a couple of lives have come near being lost over it.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When our hero reached the bridge that spanned the narrow dell, he paused for a moment and looked over the low parapet at the deep gully that had been worn away by the action of the water, and shuddered as he thought of what would have happened had he failed to grasp the bridle-rein.
