used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
rid of obstructions
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
cockverbUS /kɑːk/
tilt or slant to one side
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
dawnedverbUS /dɔːnd/
past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
every person
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
accept an excuse for
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
and nothing more
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
loadsnounUS /loʊdz/
a large number or amount
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
engage in
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
the force of workers available
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
neighboringadjectiveUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
not any; not one
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
obeyingverbUS /oʊˈbeɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
residentsnounUS /ˈrezɪdənts/
plural of “resident” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
totalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/
add up in number or quantity
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Former residents, friends of present residents and total strangers poured into town, obeying the instinct to herd together for a day.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/
plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading As early as seven o’clock carriage loads of people passed my house from the neighboring villages.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
which person or people
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A GREAT DAY The morning of October first dawned cool and clear with just frost enough in the air to make everyone feel as fit as a fighting cock.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
a late time of life
From this reading They came from as far away as twenty miles and people who had not met for ten years took this opportunity to visit with one another.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Old men and young came, women and children, glad of an excuse no matter how slight to journey to a common meeting place and see and be seen.
