used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
Brandon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
consecratedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsəkreɪtɪd/
solemnly dedicated to or set apart for a high or sacred purpose
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
let fall to the ground
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
at any time
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
goosenounUS /ɡuːs/
web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
half-a-dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
hayload
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading If it is never a more pleasant process than it was to-day, I hope sincerely it may be the last.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
ill-fortune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
immediately past
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
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 I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading If it is never a more pleasant process than it was to-day, I hope sincerely it may be the last.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading If it is never a more pleasant process than it was to-day, I hope sincerely it may be the last.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading If it is never a more pleasant process than it was to-day, I hope sincerely it may be the last.
NoesnounUS /noʊz/
plural of “no” — a negative
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
not divisible by two
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
pasturenounUS /ˈpæstʃər/
a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading If it is never a more pleasant process than it was to-day, I hope sincerely it may be the last.
processverbUS /ˈprɑːses/
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading If it is never a more pleasant process than it was to-day, I hope sincerely it may be the last.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/
being one more than sixteen
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
sincerelyadverbUS /sɪnˈsɪrli/
with sincerity; without pretense
From this reading If it is never a more pleasant process than it was to-day, I hope sincerely it may be the last.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading If it is never a more pleasant process than it was to-day, I hope sincerely it may be the last.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
a special situation
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Such an odd thing happened to-day--Robert Brandon proposed to me: it is the first offer I ever had, though I was seventeen last month.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading If we had any land, I should imagine that we must have a bit of consecrated ground among it, to account for our ill-fortune; but as we have not of our own enough to pasture a goose upon, that cannot be it.
at the time that
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading "Jack and I got in our last hayload to-day, without a drop of rain; the first bit of good luck that has come to us, I don't know when.
an affirmative
From this reading I said 'Yes,' too; at least, a species of Yes after half-a-dozen Noes; I cannot imagine why, for I certainly did not feel Yes.
