used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading It was noised abroad that Bill had taken lunch at the "Shearer's Arms."
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading It was noised abroad that Bill had taken lunch at the "Shearer's Arms."
astuteadjectiveUS /əˈstuːt/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was noised abroad that Bill had taken lunch at the "Shearer's Arms."
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading It was noised abroad that Bill had taken lunch at the "Shearer's Arms."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The Melbourne coach suddenly came out of a cloud of dust, and drew up at the door.
clenchedadjectiveUS /klentʃt/
closed or squeezed together tightly
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading The Melbourne coach suddenly came out of a cloud of dust, and drew up at the door.
teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports
From this reading The Melbourne coach suddenly came out of a cloud of dust, and drew up at the door.
countersnounUS /ˈkaʊntərz/
plural of “counter” — table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
characterized by great determination
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The Melbourne coach suddenly came out of a cloud of dust, and drew up at the door.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The landlord hoped to "lamb" him down.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading The Melbourne coach suddenly came out of a cloud of dust, and drew up at the door.
remove the dust from
From this reading The Melbourne coach suddenly came out of a cloud of dust, and drew up at the door.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
escortnounUS /eˈskɔːrt/
someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
the organ of sight
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
fistsnounUS /fɪsts/
plural of “fist” — a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
set up or found
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
coins made of gold
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
greedyadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːdi/
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was noised abroad that Bill had taken lunch at the "Shearer's Arms."
hammeredadjectiveUS /ˈhæmərd/
shaped or worked with a hammer and often showing hammer marks
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading The landlord hoped to "lamb" him down.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
lambnounUS /læm/
young sheep
From this reading The landlord hoped to "lamb" him down.
landlordnounUS /ˈlændlɔːrd/
a landowner who leases to others
From this reading The landlord hoped to "lamb" him down.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
take the midday meal
From this reading It was noised abroad that Bill had taken lunch at the "Shearer's Arms."
marginsnounUS /ˈmɑːrdʒənz/
plural of “margin” — the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
MelbournenounUS /ˈmelbərn/
a resort town in east central Florida
From this reading The Melbourne coach suddenly came out of a cloud of dust, and drew up at the door.
noised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noised abroad that Bill had taken lunch at the "Shearer's Arms."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Melbourne coach suddenly came out of a cloud of dust, and drew up at the door.
pewternounUS /ˈpjuːtər/
any of various alloys of tin with small amounts of other metals (especially lead)
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
potsnounUS /pɑːts/
plural of “pot” — metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
public-houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
retailedverbUS /ˈriːteɪld/
past form of “retail” — be sold at the retail level
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
sensationaladjectiveUS /senˈseɪʃənəl/
causing intense interest, curiosity, or emotion
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
Shearer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noised abroad that Bill had taken lunch at the "Shearer's Arms."
shepherdnounUS /ˈʃepərd/
a clergyman who watches over a group of people
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
in the near future
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The Melbourne coach suddenly came out of a cloud of dust, and drew up at the door.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It was noised abroad that Bill had taken lunch at the "Shearer's Arms."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was noised abroad that Bill had taken lunch at the "Shearer's Arms."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
townspeoplenounUS /ˈtaʊnzpiːpəl/
the people living in a municipality smaller than a city
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The Melbourne coach suddenly came out of a cloud of dust, and drew up at the door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading A few of the astute townspeople, with their weather eye open, determined to shepherd him and dog his footsteps.
in or at the place that
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
in the company of; together with
From this reading After the escort left the bank the sensational find of gold was whispered into a few greedy ears; then it was retailed, with large margins, and soon found its way to the bars of public-houses, where it was hammered into the counters with clenched fists or pewter pots.
