used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
any thing at all
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading The island lies some seventeen miles from the coast.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If I did I’d say----” He paused for a moment.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
every person
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If I did I’d say----” He paused for a moment.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If I did I’d say----” He paused for a moment.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I did I’d say----” He paused for a moment.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I did I’d say----” He paused for a moment.
Inishmore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
IrelandnounUS /ˈaɪərlənd/
a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of Ireland; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1921
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
IrishnounUS /ˈaɪrɪʃ/
people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
kinnounUS /kɪn/
a person having kinship with another or others
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading The island lies some seventeen miles from the coast.
lunaticsnounUS /ˈluːnətɪks/
plural of “lunatic” — an insane person
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
MERMAIDnounUS /ˈmɜːrmeɪd/
half woman and half fish; lives in the sea
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The island lies some seventeen miles from the coast.
a particular point in time
From this reading If I did I’d say----” He paused for a moment.
needn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
O'FlahertynounUS /oʊˈfleɪhərti/
Irish writer of short stories (1896-1984)
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading If I did I’d say----” He paused for a moment.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
relativesnounUS /ˈrelətɪvz/
plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
RepublicnounUS /riˈpʌblək/
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
express in words
From this reading If I did I’d say----” He paused for a moment.
seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/
being one more than sixteen
From this reading The island lies some seventeen miles from the coast.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The island lies some seventeen miles from the coast.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
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 “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
express in words
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
Waterhouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
accept gladly
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
at the time that
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
in or at the place that
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
which person or people
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
XVnoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading XV ~~ THE MERMAID We were on our way home from Inishmore, where we had spent two days; Peter O’Flaherty among his relatives--for everyone on the island was kin to him--I among friends who give me a warm welcome when I go to them.
an affirmative
From this reading “I’d say that Ireland----” “Yes,” said Power, “that Ireland----” “I’d say that Ireland is a country of lunatics,” said Waterhouse, “and there ought to be an Irish Republic I can’t think of anything to say worse than that.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I needn’t tell you,” said Waterhouse, “that I don’t believe a word of that story.
