used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
BACHELORnounUS /ˈbætʃələr/
a man who has never been married
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
besiegedadjectiveUS /bɪˈsiːdʒd/
surrounded by hostile forces
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
bridie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
burgessnounUS /ˈbɜːrdʒəs/
English writer of satirical novels (1917-1993)
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
cometh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Methinks she cometh to her damn!"
damnadjectiveUS /dæm/
used as expletives
From this reading "Methinks she cometh to her damn!"
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was a fit night for dark deeds.
performance of moral or religious acts
From this reading It was a fit night for dark deeds.
deliciouslyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪʃəʃli/
in a very pleasurable manner
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
dreamilyadverb
in a dreamy manner
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
ecstaticallyadverbUS /ekˈstætɪkli/
in an ecstatic manner
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading It was a fit night for dark deeds.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a fit night for dark deeds.
Gavinia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
gravynounUS /ˈɡreɪvi/
a sauce made by adding stock, flour, or other ingredients to the juice and fat that drips from cooking meats
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Methinks she cometh to her damn!"
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a fit night for dark deeds.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
a female domestic
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
MAIDSnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
maskedadjectiveUS /mæskt/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
Methinks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Methinks she cometh to her damn!"
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
nibbledverbUS /ˈnɪbəld/
past form of “nibble” — bite off very small pieces
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was a fit night for dark deeds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
oozedverbUS /uːzd/
past form of “ooze” — pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
paper-bag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
PoolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
the act of searching for something
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
sniffingverbUS /ˈsnɪfɪŋ/
-ing form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
dependable
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
sweet-smellingadjective
having a natural fragrance
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A ROMANCE OF TWO OLD MAIDS AND A STOUT BACHELOR Came Gavinia, a burgess of the besieged city, along the south shore of the Silent Pool.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
which person or people
From this reading The speaker was a masked man who had followed her--he was sniffing ecstatically--since she left the city walls.
belonging to which person
From this reading She was but a maid seeking to know what love might be, and as she wandered on, she nibbled dreamily at a hot sweet-smelling bridie, whose gravy oozed deliciously through a bursting paper-bag.
