used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DECORATIVE LANGUAGE.
in addition
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
arrayedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪd/
in ceremonial attire and paraphernalia
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
barredadjectiveUS /bɑːrd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
blacksmithnounUS /ˈblæksmɪθ/
a smith who forges and shapes iron with a hammer and anvil
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
clothing in general
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
DECORATIVEadjectiveUS /ˈdekrətɪv/
serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose
From this reading A DECORATIVE LANGUAGE.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
distinguishingverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “distinguish” — mark as different
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
forgeverbUS /fɔːrdʒ/
create by hammering
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
come to pass
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
hatsnounUS /hæts/
plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
hingesnounUS /ˈhɪndʒɪz/
plural of “hinge” — a joint that holds two parts together so that one can swing relative to the other
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading A DECORATIVE LANGUAGE.
immediately past
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
the act of departing
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
loop-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
manufacturedadjectiveUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərd/
produced in a large-scale industrial operation
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
come together
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
men'snounUS /menz/
a public toilet for men
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
a form of address for a man
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
nighadjectiveUS /naɪ/
not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
not any; not one
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
oldenadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldən/
relating to time long past
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
and nothing more
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
peepverbUS /piːp/
look furtively
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
suitsnounUS /suːts/
plural of “suit” — a set of garments (usually including a jacket and trousers or skirt) for outerwear all of the same fabric and color
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
tailorverbUS /ˈteɪlər/
adjust to a specific need or market
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
except if; if not
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/
plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
at the time that
From this reading WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges.
which person or people
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason.
