adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
actionnounUS /ˈækʃən/
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
amainadverb
at full speed; with great haste
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
amountnounUS /əˈmaʊnt/
a quantity of money
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
ancestorsnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/
weapons considered collectively
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
beachnounUS /biːtʃ/
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
bee-hunter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
cheeknounUS /tʃiːk/
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
classnounUS /klæs/
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
cleaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
conjurationnoun
a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
consequencenounUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəns/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
crossverbUS /krɔːs/
travel across or pass over
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
CulpritnounUS /ˈkʌlprɪt/
someone who perpetrates wrongdoing
From this reading --The Culprit Fay.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
descendantsnounUS /dɪˈsendənts/
all of the offspring of a given progenitor
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
educationnounUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃən/
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
FaynounUS /feɪ/
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading --The Culprit Fay.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
fledverbUS /fled/
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
fleetnounUS /fliːt/
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
flingsnounUS /flɪŋz/
plural of “fling” — a usually brief attempt
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
GermansnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmənz/
plural of “german” — a person of German nationality
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
hurrynounUS /ˈhɜːri/
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
illadjectiveUS /ɪl/
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
impressionnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃən/
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
inveterateadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvetərət/
habitual
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
ladnounUS /læd/
a boy or man
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
mimicrynounUS /ˈmɪmɪkri/
the act of mimicking; imitative behavior
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
mindsnounUS /maɪndz/
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
mummerynoun
meaningless ceremonies and flattery
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
mysticaladjectiveUS /ˈmɪstɪkəl/
relating to or characteristic of mysticism
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
observersnounUS /əbˈzɜːrvərz/
plural of “observer” — a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
pastimenounUS /ˈpæstaɪm/
a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
plungingverbUS /ˈplʌndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
practisedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktɪst/
skillful after much practice
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
produceverbUS /prəˈduːs/
bring forth or yield
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
resortingverbUS /rɪˈzɔːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “resort” — have recourse to
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
respectsnounUS /rɪˈspekts/
(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
retainverbUS /rɪˈteɪn/
hold back within
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
similaradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmələr/
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
stepnounUS /step/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
strokesnounUS /stroʊks/
plural of “stroke” — (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
superstitionsnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃənz/
plural of “superstition” — an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
TeutonicadjectiveUS /tuːˈtɔːnɪk/
of or pertaining to the ancient Teutons or their languages
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
tidenounUS /taɪd/
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
untutoredadjective
lacking in schooling
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading The Germans, and the descendants of Germans in America, are not of a very high class, as respects education, taken as a body, and they retain many of the most inveterate of the superstitions of their Teutonic ancestors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first step in the conjuration of the bee-hunter was, to produce an impression on the minds of his untutored observers, by resorting to a proper amount of mummery and mystical action.
water-sprites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading This he was enabled to do with some effect, in consequence of having practised as a lad in similar mimicry, by way of pastime.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He turned him round, and fled amain With hurry and dash to the beach again; He twisted over from side to side, And laid his cheek to the cleaving tide; The strokes of his plunging arms are fleet, And with all his might he flings his feet, But the water-sprites are round him still, To cross his path and work him ill.
