used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading My earliest experience of this was on the evening after my first supper with him.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading With children he was another being, and, grim as he could be to grown-ups, children invariably liked and trusted him.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
arrayedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪd/
in ceremonial attire and paraphernalia
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
bachelornounUS /ˈbætʃələr/
a man who has never been married
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading With children he was another being, and, grim as he could be to grown-ups, children invariably liked and trusted him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading With children he was another being, and, grim as he could be to grown-ups, children invariably liked and trusted him.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
brought into existence
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading With children he was another being, and, grim as he could be to grown-ups, children invariably liked and trusted him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading My earliest experience of this was on the evening after my first supper with him.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading My earliest experience of this was on the evening after my first supper with him.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading My earliest experience of this was on the evening after my first supper with him.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading My earliest experience of this was on the evening after my first supper with him.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
girl-child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
greatcoatnoun
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading With children he was another being, and, grim as he could be to grown-ups, children invariably liked and trusted him.
grown-ups
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With children he was another being, and, grim as he could be to grown-ups, children invariably liked and trusted him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
hatlessadjective
not wearing a hat
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
invariablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
leggingsnounUS /ˈleɡɪŋz/
plural of “legging” — a garment covering the leg (usually extending from the knee to the ankle)
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading With children he was another being, and, grim as he could be to grown-ups, children invariably liked and trusted him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
joined in matrimony
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My earliest experience of this was on the evening after my first supper with him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading My earliest experience of this was on the evening after my first supper with him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
poorlyadverbUS /ˈpuːrli/
(“ill” is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
purchasenounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəs/
the acquisition of something for payment
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
cut with a saw
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
for a short time
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
stalkingnounUS /ˈstɔːkɪŋ/
a hunt for game carried on by following it stealthily or waiting in ambush
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
stoopedadjectiveUS /stuːpt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading My earliest experience of this was on the evening after my first supper with him.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
tenderlyadverbUS /ˈtendərli/
with tenderness; in a tender manner
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My earliest experience of this was on the evening after my first supper with him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading My earliest experience of this was on the evening after my first supper with him.
very small
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
the upper part of anything
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
in the direction of
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
trustedadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstɪd/
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
From this reading With children he was another being, and, grim as he could be to grown-ups, children invariably liked and trusted him.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading He had been to town, and, as I was walking towards the station to purchase an evening paper, I saw him stalking in front of me, arrayed in a black greatcoat and top hat and black leather leggings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
Westcliff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Born bachelor as he always seemed to me--I left Westcliff shortly before his marriage, and did not know him and cannot imagine him as a married man--he was extremely fond of and invariably kind to children.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
wipeverbUS /waɪp/
rub with a circular motion
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With children he was another being, and, grim as he could be to grown-ups, children invariably liked and trusted him.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading In one hand he carried his bag, and by the other he clasped the hand of a tiny girl-child, poorly clad and hatless, whom he stooped to comfort as tenderly as could any woman, and in fact took out his own handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
