used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Mattie afterwards described the occurrence very graphically to her brother:
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
Archie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He was the biggest man I ever saw in my life, Archie.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading "HOW DO YOU DO, AUNT CATHERINE?"
earlier than; in front of
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
biggestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡəst/
superlative of “big” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "He was the biggest man I ever saw in my life, Archie.
blanklyadverbUS /ˈblæŋkli/
in a blank and uncomprehending manner
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
blockedadjectiveUS /blɑːkt/
closed to traffic
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
brewersnounUS /ˈbruːərz/
plural of “brewer” — someone who brews beer or ale from malt and hops and water
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Mattie afterwards described the occurrence very graphically to her brother:
CATHERINEnounUS /ˈkæθərən/
first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading "HOW DO YOU DO, AUNT CATHERINE?"
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading Mattie afterwards described the occurrence very graphically to her brother:
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "HOW DO YOU DO, AUNT CATHERINE?"
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
drays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
dreadfullyadverbUS /ˈdredfəli/
of a dreadful kind
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
drizzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪzəlɪŋ/
(of rain) falling lightly in very small drops
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
at any time
From this reading "He was the biggest man I ever saw in my life, Archie.
gatewaynounUS /ˈɡeɪtweɪ/
an entrance that can be closed by a gate
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
graphicallyadverbUS /ˈɡræfɪkli/
in a diagrammatic manner
From this reading Mattie afterwards described the occurrence very graphically to her brother:
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "He was the biggest man I ever saw in my life, Archie.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "HOW DO YOU DO, AUNT CATHERINE?"
humidadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːməd/
containing or characterized by a great deal of water vapor
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "He was the biggest man I ever saw in my life, Archie.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "He was the biggest man I ever saw in my life, Archie.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
Mattie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
the force of workers available
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "He was the biggest man I ever saw in my life, Archie.
navvynoun
a laborer who is obliged to do menial work
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
occurrencenounUS /əˈkɜːrəns/
an event that happens
From this reading Mattie afterwards described the occurrence very graphically to her brother:
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
the possibility of future success
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
rottingnounUS /ˈrɑːtɪŋ/
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
cut with a saw
From this reading "He was the biggest man I ever saw in my life, Archie.
plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
having a supporting base
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He looked as strong as a navvy; and his shoulders reminded me of one of those men one sees in brewers' drays.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mattie afterwards described the occurrence very graphically to her brother:
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
precisely as stated
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
at the time that
From this reading One drizzling November morning, Mattie was standing at the hall door, looking out a little blankly through the open gateway at the prospect before her,--at the rotting leaves that lay heaped up in the road, and at the gray, humid sky,--when a very big man suddenly blocked up the entrance, and startled her dreadfully.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "HOW DO YOU DO, AUNT CATHERINE?"
