used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Hiram’s interest in sports at best was purely negative.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
brought into existence
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
contemptuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtemptʃuːəs/
expressing extreme contempt
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
costlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːstli/
entailing great loss or sacrifice
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
cravedadjectiveUS /kreɪvd/
wanted intensely
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
defeatedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfiːtəd/
beaten or overcome; not victorious
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
defineverbUS /dɪˈfaɪn/
determine the essential quality of
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
discomfiturenoun
anxious embarrassment
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
displeasurenounUS /dɪˈspleʒər/
the feeling of being displeased or annoyed or dissatisfied with someone or something
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
DominionnounUS /dəˈmɪnjən/
dominance or power through legal authority
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
errornounUS /ˈerər/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
errorsnounUS /ˈerərz/
plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
fleeverbUS /fliː/
run away quickly
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
gloatedverbUS /ˈɡloʊtɪd/
past form of “gloat” — dwell on with satisfaction
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
Hiram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
Hiram's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hiram’s interest in sports at best was purely negative.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
where you live at a particular time
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Hiram’s interest in sports at best was purely negative.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
localiseverb
identify the location or place of
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
negativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɡətɪv/
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
From this reading Hiram’s interest in sports at best was purely negative.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
Plainville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
playernounUS /ˈpleɪər/
a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
playersnounUS /ˈpleɪərz/
plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
PrairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading Hiram’s interest in sports at best was purely negative.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
RilesverbUS /raɪlz/
third-person singular of “rile” — cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
soakingnounUS /ˈsoʊkɪŋ/
the process of becoming softened and saturated as a consequence of being immersed in water (or other liquid)
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
soul-eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
spectatorsnounUS /ˈspekteɪtərz/
plural of “spectator” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
spirit-thrall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
sportsnounUS /spɔːrts/
plural of “sport” — an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
not in physical motion
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
teamnounUS /tiːm/
a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading “Then I gave him hopes he could not define and fears that he could not flee; And he heard my cry in the long, still night, In my spirit-thrall I held him tight, And his blind soul-eyes craved for the light; But the light he could not see.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Prairie Born._ Hiram Riles’ temper was not improved by driving home through a soaking rain from the Dominion Day sports at Plainville.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At a game Hiram always stood a little to one side, watching, not for brilliant plays, but for errors, and passing contemptuous remarks about such of the players as were unfortunate enough to localise his displeasure.
belonging to which person
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
intense anger (usually on an epic scale)
From this reading He enjoyed the discomfiture of the defeated team; he gloated over the player whose costly error brought upon him the wrath of the spectators.
