used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Alas!
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
the two together, not just one
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
demanding attention
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
discouragementnounUS /dɪˈskɜːrɪdʒmənt/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
diseasenounUS /dɪˈziːz/
an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
being one more than seven
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
being one more than ten
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
set up or found
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
freezingnounUS /ˈfriːzɪŋ/
the withdrawal of heat to change something from a liquid to a solid
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
frightnounUS /fraɪt/
an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
gardenernounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənər/
someone who takes care of a garden
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
assemble or get together
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
happiestadjectiveUS /ˈhæpiəst/
superlative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
inflammationnounUS /ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/
a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
and nothing more
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
lungsnounUS /lʌŋz/
plural of “lung” — either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
and nothing more
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
Identical; not different.
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
strawberriesnounUS /ˈstrɔːberiz/
plural of “strawberry” — sweet fleshy red fruit
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
in the direction of
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
violetsnounUS /ˈvaɪələts/
plural of “violet” — any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
at the time that
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “This was the happiest, indeed, the only happy time of my life, towards which my thoughts may turn when I feel despair and discouragement getting the better of me.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “On a freezing December morning, in that house upon which the hand of death had just fallen, we found ourselves, six children, the oldest of whom was not eleven, crying with grief, fright, cold, and hunger.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading I was but eight, when, within the same week, the gardener and his wife were both carried off by the same disease,--inflammation of the lungs.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading I drove a sheep or two along the road, or else I went to gather violets and strawberries through the woods.
