used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
matters of personal concern
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
for the reason that
From this reading The Old Gnome was growing fat and merry because of this good fare; but he seemed as little like a Fairy as ever.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
cheesenounUS /tʃiːz/
a solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
creamnounUS /kriːm/
the best people or things in a group
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
curdsnounUS /kɜːrdz/
plural of “curd” — a coagulated liquid resembling milk curd
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
at any time
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
apart from; not including
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
farenounUS /fer/
an agenda of things to do
From this reading The Old Gnome was growing fat and merry because of this good fare; but he seemed as little like a Fairy as ever.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading The Old Gnome was growing fat and merry because of this good fare; but he seemed as little like a Fairy as ever.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
set up or found
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
GnomenounUS /noʊm/
a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The Old Gnome was growing fat and merry because of this good fare; but he seemed as little like a Fairy as ever.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The Old Gnome was growing fat and merry because of this good fare; but he seemed as little like a Fairy as ever.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
hermitnounUS /ˈhɜːrmət/
one retired from society for religious reasons
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
hermitagenounUS /ˈhɜːrmətədʒ/
the abode of a hermit
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
temporary military shelter
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
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 But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The Old Gnome was growing fat and merry because of this good fare; but he seemed as little like a Fairy as ever.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading The Old Gnome was growing fat and merry because of this good fare; but he seemed as little like a Fairy as ever.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
nowadaysnounUS /ˈnaʊədeɪz/
the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
only a very short time before
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The Old Gnome was growing fat and merry because of this good fare; but he seemed as little like a Fairy as ever.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Old Gnome was growing fat and merry because of this good fare; but he seemed as little like a Fairy as ever.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
not known
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
precisely as stated
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was scarcely ever in the hermitage nowadays, except for a few hours' sleep by daylight; and he scarcely found time to look after his own affairs, such as they were, so little of a hermit was he become!
which person or people
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading But every night the young wife set out a bowl of curds and cream for the beautiful Fairy who helped her; and sometimes David left half his luncheon of bread and cheese in the woods, for his unknown friend.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The Old Gnome was very careful to keep his ugly face out of sight, you may be sure.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Days went by, and the Old Gnome was ever more and more busy in the hut of the young people, so that really I do not know how they would have done without him.
