used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
having fair knowledge of
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Lyman walked slowly across the public square.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading At the edge of the sidewalk he halted for a moment, and his eye ran along the signs over the doors.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading LAUGHED AT HIS WEAKNESS.
batnounUS /bæt/
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
commentedverbUS /ˈkɑːmentəd/
past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading At the edge of the sidewalk he halted for a moment, and his eye ran along the signs over the doors.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading At the edge of the sidewalk he halted for a moment, and his eye ran along the signs over the doors.
the organ of sight
From this reading At the edge of the sidewalk he halted for a moment, and his eye ran along the signs over the doors.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading At the edge of the sidewalk he halted for a moment, and his eye ran along the signs over the doors.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading LAUGHED AT HIS WEAKNESS.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading LAUGHED AT HIS WEAKNESS.
lawyersnounUS /ˈlɔːjərz/
plural of “lawyer” — a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
Lyman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lyman walked slowly across the public square.
a particular point in time
From this reading At the edge of the sidewalk he halted for a moment, and his eye ran along the signs over the doors.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the edge of the sidewalk he halted for a moment, and his eye ran along the signs over the doors.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading At the edge of the sidewalk he halted for a moment, and his eye ran along the signs over the doors.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading Lyman walked slowly across the public square.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading At the edge of the sidewalk he halted for a moment, and his eye ran along the signs over the doors.
cut with a saw
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
express in words
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
sidewalknounUS /ˈsaɪdwɔːk/
walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
From this reading At the edge of the sidewalk he halted for a moment, and his eye ran along the signs over the doors.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading At the edge of the sidewalk he halted for a moment, and his eye ran along the signs over the doors.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Lyman walked slowly across the public square.
make square
From this reading Lyman walked slowly across the public square.
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 The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
strollingverbUS /ˈstroʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lyman walked slowly across the public square.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
tradesmennounUS /ˈtreɪdzmən/
plural of “tradesman” — a merchant who owns or manages a shop
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Lyman walked slowly across the public square.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And they commented upon him now, but they could see that he was not in a dreaming mood, for his head was high and his heels fell hard upon the ground.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading LAUGHED AT HIS WEAKNESS.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
which person or people
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
in the company of; together with
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading The lawyers, the clerks, the tradesmen, who had become acquainted with his habits were wont to say, as they saw him strolling about, "There he goes, blind as a bat, with a story in his head."
