used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
anew
From this reading “Don’t mention it,” said the Goblin, “and pray sit down again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
apologizeverbUS /əˈpɑːlədʒaɪz/
acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing
From this reading He arose at once, and began to apologize to him for his presence.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading He arose at once, and began to apologize to him for his presence.
in a state of sleep
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He arose at once, and began to apologize to him for his presence.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He arose at once, and began to apologize to him for his presence.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t mention it,” said the Goblin, “and pray sit down again.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
FiddlingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪdlɪŋ/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He arose at once, and began to apologize to him for his presence.
full-lengthadjective
representing or accommodating the entire length
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
GoblinnounUS /ˈɡɑːblɪn/
(folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He arose at once, and began to apologize to him for his presence.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
temporary military shelter
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
make reference to
From this reading “Don’t mention it,” said the Goblin, “and pray sit down again.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
on one occasion
From this reading He arose at once, and began to apologize to him for his presence.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading “Don’t mention it,” said the Goblin, “and pray sit down again.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading He arose at once, and began to apologize to him for his presence.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Don’t mention it,” said the Goblin, “and pray sit down again.
cut with a saw
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
only a very short time before
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
be seated
From this reading “Don’t mention it,” said the Goblin, “and pray sit down again.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
in the near future
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
thatchedverbUS /θætʃt/
past form of “thatch” — cover with thatch
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
violinnounUS /vaɪəˈlɪn/
bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading He scarcely troubled to look about, he was so weary, and soon he threw himself down full-length on the hearth and fell asleep.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
at the time that
From this reading A little way on was a thatched hut, and when he saw that the door was open and the place empty, he went in.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was about midnight when he awoke with a start and saw the Fiddling Goblin sitting on a chair by the fire, preparing to tune his violin.
