used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
(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 All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
apronnounUS /ˈeɪprən/
a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His greatest pleasure was to entice little children to his shop, talking to them as he worked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
completely unclothed
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To get them to come, he began by keeping a sack of ginger snaps in his pockets.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
blacksmithnounUS /ˈblæksmɪθ/
a smith who forges and shapes iron with a hammer and anvil
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
BrackennounUS /ˈbrækən/
fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To get them to come, he began by keeping a sack of ginger snaps in his pockets.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading His greatest pleasure was to entice little children to his shop, talking to them as he worked.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading To get them to come, he began by keeping a sack of ginger snaps in his pockets.
seemingly without interruption
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
enticeverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪs/
provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
From this reading His greatest pleasure was to entice little children to his shop, talking to them as he worked.
at any time
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading To get them to come, he began by keeping a sack of ginger snaps in his pockets.
gingernounUS /ˈdʒɪndʒər/
perennial plants having thick branching aromatic rhizomes and leafy reedlike stems
From this reading To get them to come, he began by keeping a sack of ginger snaps in his pockets.
highest in quality
From this reading His greatest pleasure was to entice little children to his shop, talking to them as he worked.
hairyadjectiveUS /ˈheri/
having or covered with hair
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
a small worthless amount
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
conformity or harmony
From this reading To get them to come, he began by keeping a sack of ginger snaps in his pockets.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
leathern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
not any; not one
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
physicallyadverbUS /ˈfɪzɪkəli/
in accord with physical laws
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading His greatest pleasure was to entice little children to his shop, talking to them as he worked.
plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading To get them to come, he began by keeping a sack of ginger snaps in his pockets.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
sacknounUS /sæk/
a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
From this reading To get them to come, he began by keeping a sack of ginger snaps in his pockets.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
do one's shopping
From this reading His greatest pleasure was to entice little children to his shop, talking to them as he worked.
sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/
plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
snapsnounUS /snæps/
plural of “snap” — the act of catching an object with the hands
From this reading To get them to come, he began by keeping a sack of ginger snaps in his pockets.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
required or under orders
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading His greatest pleasure was to entice little children to his shop, talking to them as he worked.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His greatest pleasure was to entice little children to his shop, talking to them as he worked.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His greatest pleasure was to entice little children to his shop, talking to them as he worked.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With his leathern apron on, his sleeves rolled up, his hairy breast bare and shining in the open collar, physically he looked more like an ancient Roman than a man of to-day.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading All the week he worked at his trade--so full of his new life that it shone continually in his face--his face strong and stern, but kindly.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading JACK AND THE LITTLE ONES No one would ever have supposed that the big blacksmith at the village was Jack Bracken.
