used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
Alice's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was days before Miles Lawson rallied.
give a benediction to
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
concoctionsnounUS /kənˈkɑːkʃənz/
plural of “concoction” — any foodstuff made by combining different ingredients
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was days before Miles Lawson rallied.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
distastefuladjectiveUS /dɪˈsteɪstfəl/
not pleasing in odor or taste
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
echoverbUS /ˈekoʊ/
to say again or imitate
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
ECHOESnounUS /ˈekoʊz/
plural of “echo” — the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN ECHOES.
divisible by two
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
opinion or judgment
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
fitlyadverb
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
not in action or at work
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was days before Miles Lawson rallied.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
Lawson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was days before Miles Lawson rallied.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
lowlyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊli/
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading It was days before Miles Lawson rallied.
ministeringverbUS /ˈmɪnɪstrɪŋ/
-ing form of “minister” — attend to the wants and needs of others
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN ECHOES.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
ne'eradverbUS /ner/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
needfuladjectiveUS /ˈniːdfəl/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
not any; not one
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
nourishmentnounUS /ˈnɜːrɪʃmənt/
a source of materials to nourish the body
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
and nothing more
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
prostrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
ralliedverbUS /ˈrælid/
inflected form of “rally” — gather
From this reading It was days before Miles Lawson rallied.
resourcenounUS /ˈriːsɔːrs/
available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
rouseverbUS /raʊs/
become active
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
only a very short time before
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
carry out
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN ECHOES.
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was days before Miles Lawson rallied.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His powers were so utterly prostrated, that dull heavy sleep seemed to be the only resource of nature.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They could scarcely rouse him, even to take the needful nourishment; and at such times he took no notice of any one, but drank his mother's concoctions, or Alice's less distasteful preparations, in a mere mechanical manner, without raising his dim eyes to see what hand was ministering to him.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading "An idle word—a lowly prayer— A gentle 'Bless thee!' fitly spoken, May live, and echo through the air, As if its life could ne'er be broken."
