used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Go to sleep like a good boy, and don't dream any more.
ailsnounUS /eɪlz/
plural of “ail” — aromatic bulb used as seasoning
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Go to sleep like a good boy, and don't dream any more.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ye are dreaming, she mumbled between sleeping and waking.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
in a state of sleep
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I will, Granny, and don't be getting up; the bed-clothes don't want settling.
bed-clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will, Granny, and don't be getting up; the bed-clothes don't want settling.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Ye are dreaming, she mumbled between sleeping and waking.
a youthful male person
From this reading Go to sleep like a good boy, and don't dream any more.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Go to sleep like a good boy, and don't dream any more.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Go to sleep like a good boy, and don't dream any more.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading Ye are dreaming, she mumbled between sleeping and waking.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading I will, Granny, and don't be getting up; the bed-clothes don't want settling.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Go to sleep like a good boy, and don't dream any more.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Go to sleep like a good boy, and don't dream any more.
grandmothernounUS /ˈɡrændmʌðər/
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
GrannynounUS /ˈɡræni/
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading I will, Granny, and don't be getting up; the bed-clothes don't want settling.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I will, Granny, and don't be getting up; the bed-clothes don't want settling.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Go to sleep like a good boy, and don't dream any more.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Go to sleep like a good boy, and don't dream any more.
mumbledverbUS /ˈmʌmbəld/
past form of “mumble” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading Ye are dreaming, she mumbled between sleeping and waking.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
pleadedverbUS /ˈpliːdɪd/
past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
prayingverbUS /ˈpreɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
prophetnounUS /ˈprɑːfət/
an authoritative person who divines the future
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
SamuelnounUS /ˈsæmjuːl/
(Old Testament) Hebrew prophet and judge who anointed Saul as king
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
settlingnounUS /ˈsetəlɪŋ/
a gradual sinking to a lower level
From this reading I will, Granny, and don't be getting up; the bed-clothes don't want settling.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ye are dreaming, she mumbled between sleeping and waking.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Go to sleep like a good boy, and don't dream any more.
the state of being asleep
From this reading Ye are dreaming, she mumbled between sleeping and waking.
a male human offspring
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I will, Granny, and don't be getting up; the bed-clothes don't want settling.
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
tuckedadjectiveUS /tʌkt/
having tucked or being tucked
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I will, Granny, and don't be getting up; the bed-clothes don't want settling.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading Ye are dreaming, she mumbled between sleeping and waking.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading I will, Granny, and don't be getting up; the bed-clothes don't want settling.
(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 I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What ails thee, Son? he heard his grandmother calling to him, and he answered: an old man, an old man.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I will, Granny, and don't be getting up; the bed-clothes don't want settling.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I am well tucked in, he pleaded; and fell asleep praying that Granny had not heard him ask Samuel if he would be a prophet.
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading Ye are dreaming, she mumbled between sleeping and waking.
