used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "At last!" whispered Humphrey.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
BuzzverbUS /bʌz/
make a buzzing sound
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
clutchedverbUS /klʌtʃt/
past form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
daisiesnounUS /ˈdeɪziz/
plural of “daisy” — any of numerous composite plants having flower heads with well-developed ray flowers usually arranged in a single whorl
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
daisy-chains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
gustnounUS /ɡʌst/
a strong current of air
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
Humphrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
immediately past
From this reading "At last!" whispered Humphrey.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
lumpsnounUS /lʌmps/
plural of “lump” — a compact mass
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
midgesnounUS /ˈmɪdʒəz/
plural of “midge” — minute two-winged mosquito-like fly lacking biting mouthparts; appear in dancing swarms especially near water
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
except for; apart from
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
move stealthily
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Buzz, buzz, they came up against his cheeks like hard lumps, and he couldn't drive them away.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
at the time that
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Little Miles was dreaming on a green bank, on the top of which he and Humphrey were seated, making daisy-chains, when suddenly the midges began to fly in his face in a most disagreeable manner.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading "At last!" whispered Humphrey.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading He turned to Humphrey for assistance, and such a strong gust of wind blew upon one side of his head and face that he fell over on his side and began to slip down the hill.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading He clutched hold of his brother to save himself, and woke--to find neither bank nor daisies but that Humphrey was dragging him out of bed.
