used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
(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 The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
react verbally
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
for the reason that
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ
From this reading "Can any of you lads tell me what bishop of the Church of England has the largest hat?"
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading "Can any of you lads tell me what bishop of the Church of England has the largest hat?"
congenialadjectiveUS /kənˈdʒiːnjəl/
suitable to your needs
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
Dumfermline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
take in solid food
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading "Can any of you lads tell me what bishop of the Church of England has the largest hat?"
divisible by two
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
feweradjectiveUS /ˈfjuːər/
(comparative of “few” used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
Fifeshire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
the act of departing
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Can any of you lads tell me what bishop of the Church of England has the largest hat?"
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading "Can any of you lads tell me what bishop of the Church of England has the largest hat?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
ten 10s
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
the lack of knowledge or education
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Can any of you lads tell me what bishop of the Church of England has the largest hat?"
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
as might be expected
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
parishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
an educational institution
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
schoolsnounUS /skuːlz/
plural of “school” — an educational institution
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
severitynounUS /sɪˈverɪti/
used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
systematicadjectiveUS /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk/
characterized by order and planning
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
express in words
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
utilizeverbUS /ˈjuːtəlaɪz/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
wagnounUS /wæɡ/
a witty amusing person who makes jokes
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The parish minister in a town not a hundred miles from Dumfermline, Fifeshire, was recently going his round of all the board schools in the course of systematic examination.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Can any of you lads tell me what bishop of the Church of England has the largest hat?"
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The day was warm, and the minister, feeling exhausted on reaching the school, took a seat for a few minutes to cool down and recover his breath; but even while doing so he thought he might as well utilize the time in a congenial sort of way, being naturally a bit of a wag.
a Caucasian
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was no answer to this question, and the minister, after telling them it was because there were fewer of them, with pretended severity said he was sorry to see them in such a state of ignorance as not to be able to answer such a simple question, but he would give them another.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading So he addressed the boys thus: "Well, lads, can any of you tell me why black sheep eat less than white sheep?"
