used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
afootadverbUS /əˈfʊt/
on foot; walking
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
(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 Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And in the very mood for it were the people who were to go.
applesnounUS /ˈæpəlz/
plural of “apple” — fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
arraynounUS /ərˈeɪ/
an orderly arrangement
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
companiesnounUS /ˈkʌmpəniːz/
plural of “company” — an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
contemplativeadjectiveUS /kənˈtemplətɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
wanted intensely
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
drinksnounUS /drɪŋks/
plural of “drink” — a single serving of a beverage
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
Faith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
fishing-net
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading And in the very mood for it were the people who were to go.
death of a person
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
be the source of pain
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And in the very mood for it were the people who were to go.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
immediately past
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
marshalverbUS /ˈmɑːrʃəl/
place in proper rank
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
meatsnounUS /miːts/
plural of “meat” — the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading And in the very mood for it were the people who were to go.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
not any; not one
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
not divisible by two
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading And in the very mood for it were the people who were to go.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
ranksnounUS /ræŋks/
plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
a particular situation
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
sleigh-riding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
sugarplums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Not but somewhat of last night's gravity hung about Faith's bright face; the one did no hurt to the other; for the best brightness is always sure to be grave, and the best gravity is almost sure to be bright, on some side.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
in or at that place or location
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And in the very mood for it were the people who were to go.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
varietiesnounUS /vərˈaɪətiz/
plural of “variety” — a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
precisely as stated
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However there was nothing _contemplative_ about the character of things this morning; there was too much action afoot.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And in the very mood for it were the people who were to go.
which person or people
From this reading And in the very mood for it were the people who were to go.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Such an army of meats and drinks, with all sorts of odd ends and varieties, from the shoes to the fishing-net, and such an array of apples and sugarplums!--to marshal and order them all in proper companies and ranks, wanted a general!
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The first morning of the new year turned out as bright as could be desired for the great sleigh-riding expedition; the very day for it.
