used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
(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 There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hygienics were an unforeseen mystery to people of that day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another dreadful winter settled down on Nepasset township.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They did not know that nourishing food is as good for the brain as for the muscles.
assuageverbUS /əˈsweɪdʒ/
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
beansnounUS /biːnz/
plural of “bean” — any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae used for food
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
beefnounUS /biːf/
cattle that are reared for their meat
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
beetsnounUS /biːts/
plural of “beet” — biennial Eurasian plant usually having a swollen edible root; widely cultivated as a food crop
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
boiledadjectiveUS /bɔɪld/
cooked in hot water
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading They did not know that nourishing food is as good for the brain as for the muscles.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Hygienics were an unforeseen mystery to people of that day.
decreasedadjectiveUS /dɪˈkriːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They did not know that nourishing food is as good for the brain as for the muscles.
dietnounUS /ˈdaɪət/
a prescribed selection of foods
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Another dreadful winter settled down on Nepasset township.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Another dreadful winter settled down on Nepasset township.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
start firing a weapon
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
firewoodnounUS /ˈfaɪərwʊd/
wood used for fuel
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They did not know that nourishing food is as good for the brain as for the muscles.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading They did not know that nourishing food is as good for the brain as for the muscles.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
Hygienicsnoun
the science concerned with the prevention of illness and maintenance of health
From this reading Hygienics were an unforeseen mystery to people of that day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They did not know that nourishing food is as good for the brain as for the muscles.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading They did not know that nourishing food is as good for the brain as for the muscles.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading They did not know that nourishing food is as good for the brain as for the muscles.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Hygienics were an unforeseen mystery to people of that day.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
Nepasset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another dreadful winter settled down on Nepasset township.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They did not know that nourishing food is as good for the brain as for the muscles.
nourishingadjectiveUS /ˈnɜːrɪʃɪŋ/
of or providing nourishment
From this reading They did not know that nourishing food is as good for the brain as for the muscles.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hygienics were an unforeseen mystery to people of that day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Another dreadful winter settled down on Nepasset township.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Hygienics were an unforeseen mystery to people of that day.
porknounUS /pɔːrk/
meat from a domestic hog or pig
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Another dreadful winter settled down on Nepasset township.
get rid of
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hygienics were an unforeseen mystery to people of that day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They did not know that nourishing food is as good for the brain as for the muscles.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They lived on potatoes, beets, beans, with now and then a bit of salt pork or beef boiled in the pot with the rest; and their hearts failed, as their flesh did, with this sodden and monotonous diet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
townshipnounUS /ˈtaʊnʃɪp/
an administrative division of a county
From this reading Another dreadful winter settled down on Nepasset township.
unforeseenadjectiveUS /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/
not anticipated
From this reading Hygienics were an unforeseen mystery to people of that day.
vitalitynounUS /vaɪˈtæləti/
an energetic style
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hygienics were an unforeseen mystery to people of that day.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Another dreadful winter settled down on Nepasset township.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was food enough in the house and firewood in the shed; but neither food nor fire seemed to assuage the terrible cold, and with decreased vitality decreased courage came to all.
