used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
confined by bonds
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
Carleton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
travel across or pass over
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
traveling across
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
dippedadjectiveUS /dɪpt/
having abnormal sagging of the spine (especially in horses)
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
DykenounUS /daɪk/
(slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
EnduredverbUS /enˈdjʊrd/
past form of “endure” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
an old word for “before”
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
Fairfax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
fordnounUS /fɔːrd/
United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
set up or found
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
the act of departing
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
Hardwick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
heednounUS /hiːd/
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
likingnounUS /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/
a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
marshyadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrʃi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
not any; not one
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
overflowedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈfloʊd/
past form of “overflow” — flow or run over (a limit or brim)
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
PrivationsnounUS /praɪˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “privation” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
ResultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
splashingnounUS /ˈsplæʃɪŋ/
the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
Twas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Twas bad going, i’ faith, but neither of us paid much heed to it, our minds being set on gaining the road beyond.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
(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 The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The meadows were half under water: the Carleton Dyke had overflowed its banks, and ere we had well dipped into the low fields, our feet were sinking at every step into the marshy ground, or splashing loudly into some pool that stared at us in the faint light.
at the time that
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
widenedverbUS /ˈwaɪdənd/
past form of “widen” — become broader or wider or more extensive
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading But when we came to the Dyke itself, which we were bound to cross, we found ourselves in a pretty position, for it had widened a good six yards, and there was no means of crossing it nearer than the ford, which was too near Hardwick village for my liking or our safety.
