used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a jumbled heap of murky building.—KEATS.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
almsnounUS /ɑːlmz/
money or goods contributed to the poor
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
audiblyadverbUS /ˈɑːdəbli/
in an audible manner
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
beggingnounUS /ˈbeɡɪŋ/
a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading In a jumbled heap of murky building.—KEATS.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading In her talon-like hands she held a bundle of matches, which she silently tendered to every passer-by.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
consignedverbUS /kənˈsaɪnd/
past form of “consign” — commit forever; commit irrevocably
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading On the contrary, she was ostensively peddling in a small way.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In her talon-like hands she held a bundle of matches, which she silently tendered to every passer-by.
every person
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
hagnounUS /hæɡ/
an ugly evil-looking old woman
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading In her talon-like hands she held a bundle of matches, which she silently tendered to every passer-by.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading In a jumbled heap of murky building.—KEATS.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading In her talon-like hands she held a bundle of matches, which she silently tendered to every passer-by.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a jumbled heap of murky building.—KEATS.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
jumbledadjectiveUS /ˈdʒʌmbəld/
in utter disorder
From this reading In a jumbled heap of murky building.—KEATS.
KEATSnounUS /kiːts/
Englishman and romantic poet (1795-1821)
From this reading In a jumbled heap of murky building.—KEATS.
the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
Mary'snounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
matchesnounUS /ˈmætʃəz/
plural of “match” — lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction
From this reading In her talon-like hands she held a bundle of matches, which she silently tendered to every passer-by.
municipaladjectiveUS /mjuːˈnɪsəpəl/
relating or belonging to or characteristic of a municipality
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
murkyadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrki/
(of liquids) clouded as with sediment
From this reading In a jumbled heap of murky building.—KEATS.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a jumbled heap of murky building.—KEATS.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the contrary, she was ostensively peddling in a small way.
and nothing more
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
ostensively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, she was ostensively peddling in a small way.
passer-bynoun
a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading In her talon-like hands she held a bundle of matches, which she silently tendered to every passer-by.
peddlingnounUS /ˈpedəlɪŋ/
the act of selling goods for a living
From this reading On the contrary, she was ostensively peddling in a small way.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
ragnounUS /ræɡ/
a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
salenounUS /seɪl/
a particular instance of selling
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the contrary, she was ostensively peddling in a small way.
shineverbUS /ʃaɪn/
be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
without speaking
From this reading In her talon-like hands she held a bundle of matches, which she silently tendered to every passer-by.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On the contrary, she was ostensively peddling in a small way.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
StrandnounUS /strænd/
a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
talon-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her talon-like hands she held a bundle of matches, which she silently tendered to every passer-by.
tenderedverbUS /ˈtendərd/
past form of “tender” — offer or present for acceptance
From this reading In her talon-like hands she held a bundle of matches, which she silently tendered to every passer-by.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On the contrary, she was ostensively peddling in a small way.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In her talon-like hands she held a bundle of matches, which she silently tendered to every passer-by.
which person or people
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
work-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
worthlessadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrθləs/
lacking in usefulness or value
From this reading The matches were worthless and were not really intended for sale, but only for a blind to the police and a cloak for her begging; and everybody understood this as well as she did; for though she never opened her lips to ask for alms, every fluttering rag about her was a tongue, and every look a voice.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading There was at this time a wretched old hag who, summer and winter, rain and shine, sat under the shadow of St. Mary’s le Strand begging—but not audibly, for to have done so would have broken the municipal laws, and to have drawn the police upon her and consigned her to the work-house.
