used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
AbbotnounUS /ˈæbət/
the superior of an abbey of monks
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
(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 St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For all ruinous incomplete things, buildings or other, were an eye-sorrow to the man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
Babwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
barnsnounUS /bɑːrnz/
plural of “barn” — an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
buildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading For all ruinous incomplete things, buildings or other, were an eye-sorrow to the man.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
church-steeples
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
churchesnounUS /ˈtʃɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “church” — one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
combustiblenoun
a substance that can be burned to provide heat or power
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
decayingverbUS /dɪˈkeɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “decay” — lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
dwellingsnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋz/
plural of “dwelling” — housing that someone is living in
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
edifices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
Edmund
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
Edmund's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
Edmundsbury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
Elmset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
endowedadjectiveUS /enˈdaʊd/
provided or supplied or equipped with (especially as by inheritance or nature)
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
eye-sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For all ruinous incomplete things, buildings or other, were an eye-sorrow to the man.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
incompleteadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkəmˈpliːt/
not complete or total; not completed
From this reading For all ruinous incomplete things, buildings or other, were an eye-sorrow to the man.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For all ruinous incomplete things, buildings or other, were an eye-sorrow to the man.
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 St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
on one occasion
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading For all ruinous incomplete things, buildings or other, were an eye-sorrow to the man.
piousadjectiveUS /ˈpaɪəs/
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
rain-tight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
reed-thatch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
reedsnounUS /riːdz/
plural of “reed” — tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
roof-timbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
ruinousadjectiveUS /ˈruːənəs/
extremely harmful; bringing physical or financial ruin
From this reading For all ruinous incomplete things, buildings or other, were an eye-sorrow to the man.
SamsonnounUS /ˈsæmsən/
(Old Testament) a judge of Israel who performed herculean feats of strength against the Philistines until he was betrayed to them by his mistress Delilah
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
cut with a saw
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
SchoolsnounUS /skuːlz/
plural of “school” — an educational institution
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
not in physical motion
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
thatchedverbUS /θætʃt/
past form of “thatch” — cover with thatch
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading For all ruinous incomplete things, buildings or other, were an eye-sorrow to the man.
tilenounUS /taɪl/
a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
tilesnounUS /taɪlz/
plural of “tile” — a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
being of use or service
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
having passed out of existence
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading St. Edmund Abbot Samson built many useful, many pious edifices; human dwellings, churches, church-steeples, barns;--all fallen now and vanished, but useful while they stood.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He built and endowed 'the Hospital of Babwell;' built 'fit houses for the St. Edmundsbury Schools: Many are the roofs once 'thatched with reeds' which he 'caused to be covered with tiles;' or if they were churches, probably 'with lead.'
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading We saw his 'great tower of St. Edmund's;' or at least the roof-timbers of it, lying cut and stamped in Elmset Wood.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading To change combustible decaying reed-thatch into tile or lead, and material, still more, moral wreck into rain-tight order, what a comfort to Samson!
