used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I was in the graveyard myself after midday, and all was snug and tight then.
(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 I was in the graveyard myself after midday, and all was snug and tight then.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
the act of discovering something
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
apart from; not including
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
graveyardnounUS /ˈɡreɪvjɑːrd/
a tract of land used for burials
From this reading I was in the graveyard myself after midday, and all was snug and tight then.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
hobnounUS /hɑːb/
(folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
an opening into or through something
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/
the middle of the day
From this reading I was in the graveyard myself after midday, and all was snug and tight then.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I was in the graveyard myself after midday, and all was snug and tight then.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
not any; not one
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
nobnoun
informal term for an upper-class or wealthy person
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
passer-bynoun
a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
pleadverbUS /pliːd/
appeal or request earnestly
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
Ratsey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
sextonnounUS /ˈsekstən/
United States poet (1928-1974)
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
snugadjectiveUS /snʌɡ/
offering safety; well protected or concealed
From this reading I was in the graveyard myself after midday, and all was snug and tight then.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
solacenounUS /ˈsɑːləs/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
in the near future
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
be standing; be upright
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
TennysonnounUS /ˈtenɪsən/
Englishman and Victorian poet (1809-1892)
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I was in the graveyard myself after midday, and all was snug and tight then.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
tightadjectiveUS /taɪt/
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading I was in the graveyard myself after midday, and all was snug and tight then.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
Twould
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Twould have been awkward enough to have the hole stand open through the day, for any passer-by to light on.'
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
VAULTnounUS /vɒlt/
An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
(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 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
at the time that
From this reading 'It is well the earth gave way', the sexton was saying, 'on a night when we were here to find it.
in or at the place that
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading This discovery gave me no surprise but much solace, for I thought that if the worst happened and I was discovered, I should find one friend with whom I could plead for life.
but in spite of that
From this reading IN THE VAULT Let us hob and nob with Death--_Tennyson_ Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.
