used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
ALLEGORYnounUS /ˈæləɡɔːri/
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
From this reading _THE GOLDEN OIL: AN ALLEGORY._ I fell asleep and dreamed.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _THE GOLDEN OIL: AN ALLEGORY._ I fell asleep and dreamed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _THE GOLDEN OIL: AN ALLEGORY._ I fell asleep and dreamed.
from appearances alone
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
in a state of sleep
From this reading _THE GOLDEN OIL: AN ALLEGORY._ I fell asleep and dreamed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
completely unclothed
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
without doubt or question
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
demanding attention
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading _THE GOLDEN OIL: AN ALLEGORY._ I fell asleep and dreamed.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
to or in any or all places
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
opinion or judgment
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading _THE GOLDEN OIL: AN ALLEGORY._ I fell asleep and dreamed.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading _THE GOLDEN OIL: AN ALLEGORY._ I fell asleep and dreamed.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _THE GOLDEN OIL: AN ALLEGORY._ I fell asleep and dreamed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
in motion
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
many times at short intervals
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading _THE GOLDEN OIL: AN ALLEGORY._ I fell asleep and dreamed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
pitifullyadverbUS /ˈpɪtɪfəli/
to a pitiful degree
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
a full supply
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
quarrelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
restlesslyadverbUS /ˈrestləsli/
in a restless manner
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/
sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
Identical; not different.
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _THE GOLDEN OIL: AN ALLEGORY._ I fell asleep and dreamed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
in or at that place or location
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
threesnounUS /θriːz/
plural of “three” — the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
toilverbUS /tɔɪl/
work hard
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
triflesnounUS /ˈtraɪfəlz/
plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
twosnounUS /tuːz/
plural of “two” — the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
valleysnounUS /ˈvæliz/
plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
verdantadjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrdənt/
characterized by abundance of verdure
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
precisely as stated
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/
plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
(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 I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I was apparently at a great distance from them, and could not well understand what they did, nor could I hear what they said.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They appeared to be very busy, often eagerly running or walking; talking together in twos and threes; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarrelling loudly over these same trifles, and crying pitifully if they could not have what they wanted.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Before me spread out verdant fields, picturesque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and toil, the wide ocean restlessly tossing, the mountain bare and rugged.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At first my eyes seemed heavy with sleep, but after a time I began to see things more clearly, and in all these varied scenes I perceived there were children moving to and fro.
