1896
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
CelebratedadjectiveUS /ˈseləbreɪtɪd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
ConounUS /koʊ/
an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
enclose with a fence
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
hammocknounUS /ˈhæmək/
a small natural hill
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
HerbertnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
HistoriesnounUS /ˈhɪstəriz/
plural of “history” — the aggregate of past events
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
hurriedlyadverbUS /ˈhɜːridli/
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
lightingnounUS /ˈlaɪtɪŋ/
having abundant light or illumination
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
maplenounUS /ˈmeɪpəl/
wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
minit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
MiscellanynounUS /ˈmɪsəleɪni/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
the light of the Moon
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
NewlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/
very recently
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
oaksnounUS /oʊks/
plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
pinverbUS /pɪn/
to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
preparatoryadjectiveUS /prɪˈperətɔːri/
preceding and preparing for something
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
Quinsby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
rustlingnounUS /ˈrʌslɪŋ/
the stealing of cattle
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
with low volume
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
topsadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
uneasilyadverbUS /əˈniːzəli/
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading Far down in a corner of the yard, near the front fence, a hammock hung between two small pin oaks, and it was here the old man went, looking back uneasily now and then, as if he expected a call from his wife.
precisely as stated
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
in or at the place that
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading “I reckon I’ll jest step down there a minit,” he whispered to himself, and hurriedly but softly went down the steps.
which person or people
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading He glanced back into the house, through the hall, into the bedroom, where his wife was lighting a candle preparatory to turning down the bed.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
WritersnounUS /ˈraɪtərz/
plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales; Histories, Newly composed by Many Celebrated Writers and very delightful to read.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading 1896, By Herbert S. Stone & Co THE wind stirred the tops of the maple trees in the Quinsby front yard, and the old man who stood on the steps, watching the shadows and the moonlight, sighed as he heard the soft rustling sound.
