used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The literary editor helped the little lady upon a stool and began:
abodenounUS /əˈboʊd/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
agriculturaladjectiveUS /ˌæɡrəˈkʌltʃərəl/
relating to or used in or promoting agriculture or farming
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
(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 "Jack, the Giant Killer? little sunbeam; with all my heart."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The literary editor helped the little lady upon a stool and began:
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The literary editor helped the little lady upon a stool and began:
bovineadjectiveUS /ˈboʊvaɪn/
of or relating to or belonging to the genus Bos
From this reading She was the possessor of a bovine quadruped of most excellent virtues.
bucolicadjectiveUS /bjuːˈkɑːlɪk/
(used with regard to idealized country life) idyllically rustic
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
economicadjectiveUS /ˌekəˈnɑːmɪk/
of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
editornounUS /ˈedətər/
a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading The literary editor helped the little lady upon a stool and began:
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading She was the possessor of a bovine quadruped of most excellent virtues.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
expedients
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading "Jack, the Giant Killer? little sunbeam; with all my heart."
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading "Jack, the Giant Killer? little sunbeam; with all my heart."
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The literary editor helped the little lady upon a stool and began:
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
of the present time and place
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "Jack, the Giant Killer? little sunbeam; with all my heart."
KillernounUS /ˈkɪlər/
someone who causes the death of a person or animal
From this reading "Jack, the Giant Killer? little sunbeam; with all my heart."
laboriousadjectiveUS /ləˈbɔːriəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The literary editor helped the little lady upon a stool and began:
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading The literary editor helped the little lady upon a stool and began:
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Jack, the Giant Killer? little sunbeam; with all my heart."
maternaladjectiveUS /məˈtɜːrnəl/
characteristic of a mother
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
used to form the superlative
From this reading She was the possessor of a bovine quadruped of most excellent virtues.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Jack, the Giant Killer? little sunbeam; with all my heart."
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
on one occasion
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
parsimoniousadjectiveUS /ˌpɑːrsəˈmoʊniəs/
excessively unwilling to spend
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
perforceadverbUS /pərˈfɔːrs/
by necessity; by force of circumstance
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
possessornounUS /pəˈzesər/
a person who owns something
From this reading She was the possessor of a bovine quadruped of most excellent virtues.
primevaladjectiveUS /praɪˈmiːvəl/
having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
profitablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːfətəbli/
in a productive way
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
progenitornounUS /proʊˈdʒenɪtər/
an ancestor in the direct line
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
prolongverbUS /prəˈlɔːŋ/
lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
proximitynounUS /prɑːkˈsɪməti/
the property of being close together
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
pursuitsnounUS /pərˈsuːts/
plural of “pursuit” — the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
quadrupednoun
an animal especially a mammal having four limbs specialized for walking
From this reading She was the possessor of a bovine quadruped of most excellent virtues.
resortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/
a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
only a very short time before
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was the possessor of a bovine quadruped of most excellent virtues.
stoolnounUS /stuːl/
a simple seat without a back or arms
From this reading The literary editor helped the little lady upon a stool and began:
sunbeamnounUS /ˈsʌnbiːm/
a ray of sunlight
From this reading "Jack, the Giant Killer? little sunbeam; with all my heart."
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Jack, the Giant Killer? little sunbeam; with all my heart."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The literary editor helped the little lady upon a stool and began:
virtuesnounUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːz/
plural of “virtue” — the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
From this reading She was the possessor of a bovine quadruped of most excellent virtues.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
widowedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪdoʊd/
single because of death of the spouse
From this reading "Once upon a time, in immediate proximity to a primeval forest, in an humble abode, where pleasures of a bucolic existence were profitably mingled with the more laborious task of agricultural pursuits, dwelt Jack, the hero of my tale, with his widowed maternal progenitor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Jack, the Giant Killer? little sunbeam; with all my heart."
but in spite of that
From this reading Scarcely of a parsimonious nature, yet perforce of economic character, the widow was compelled to resort to numerous expedients in order to prolong existence.
