used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LEGACY.
AaronnounUS /ˈerən/
United States professional baseball player who hit more home runs than Babe Ruth (born in 1934)
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
react verbally
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
beddingnounUS /ˈbedɪŋ/
coverings that are used on a bed
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
bedsidenounUS /ˈbedsaɪd/
space by the side of a bed (especially the bed of a sick or dying person)
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
blanketnounUS /ˈblæŋkət/
bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
boltsnounUS /boʊlts/
plural of “bolt” — a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
encumberverbUS /enˈkʌmbər/
restrict (someone or something) so as to make free movement difficult
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
entertainedadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnd/
pleasantly occupied
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
every person
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
farmhousesnounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊsəz/
plural of “farmhouse” — house for a farmer and family
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
set up or found
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
impedimentnounUS /ˌɪmˈpedəmənt/
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
LEGACYnounUS /ˈleɡəsi/
(law) a gift of personal property by will
From this reading A LEGACY.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
not any; not one
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
no person; not anyone
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
and nothing more
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
orchardnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərd/
garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
rouseverbUS /raʊs/
become active
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/
English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
suppositionnounUS /ˌsʌpəˈzɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
wakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Stephen was not to be found in orchard or field; nor did he answer when his name was called, though everybody in the house was wakened by the shout.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
at the time that
From this reading When Aaron stole to the bedside of his guest, early the next morning, to rouse him for his journey, he was surprised to find nobody there.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The only supposition that could be entertained was that Stephen had gone out, with a blanket in addition to his scanty clothing, to please himself with the morning sunshine; an amusement to which there was no impediment of locks and bolts, in this any more than in the neighbouring farmhouses.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Not only had the guest disappeared, but half the bedding,—the whole of which would not much encumber a strong man.
