used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
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 Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading What desolation a single word may cause, if thoughtlessly or intentionally let fall into a passionate, impetuous heart.
combustiblenoun
a substance that can be burned to provide heat or power
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
constancynounUS /ˈkɑːnstənsi/
the quality of being enduring and free from change or variation
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
give a description of
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
designedlyadverb
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
desolationnounUS /ˌdesəˈleɪʃən/
the state of being decayed or destroyed
From this reading What desolation a single word may cause, if thoughtlessly or intentionally let fall into a passionate, impetuous heart.
Dothauxiliary verbUS /dɔːθ/
an old form of “does”
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading But first a few words of explanation.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading What desolation a single word may cause, if thoughtlessly or intentionally let fall into a passionate, impetuous heart.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But first a few words of explanation.
start firing a weapon
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But first a few words of explanation.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading What desolation a single word may cause, if thoughtlessly or intentionally let fall into a passionate, impetuous heart.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
impetuousadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpetʃwəs/
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
From this reading What desolation a single word may cause, if thoughtlessly or intentionally let fall into a passionate, impetuous heart.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
inflammableadjectiveUS /ɪnˈflæməbəl/
easily ignited
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
intentionallyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtenʃənəli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading What desolation a single word may cause, if thoughtlessly or intentionally let fall into a passionate, impetuous heart.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading What desolation a single word may cause, if thoughtlessly or intentionally let fall into a passionate, impetuous heart.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading What desolation a single word may cause, if thoughtlessly or intentionally let fall into a passionate, impetuous heart.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
madnessnounUS /ˈmædnəs/
obsolete terms for legal insanity
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
having or expressing strong emotions
From this reading What desolation a single word may cause, if thoughtlessly or intentionally let fall into a passionate, impetuous heart.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
poisonverbUS /ˈpɔɪzən/
spoil as if by poison
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
realmsnounUS /relmz/
plural of “realm” — a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
sparknounUS /spɑːrk/
a momentary flash of light
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
thornyadjectiveUS /ˈθɔːrni/
bristling with perplexities
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
thoughtlesslyadverb
in a thoughtless manner
From this reading What desolation a single word may cause, if thoughtlessly or intentionally let fall into a passionate, impetuous heart.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
tonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/
plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
precisely as stated
From this reading The three scenes I am about to describe, took place very nearly as they are related.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What ruin a single spark of fire may spread, if carelessly or designedly dropped amid combustible or inflammable material.
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading What desolation a single word may cause, if thoughtlessly or intentionally let fall into a passionate, impetuous heart.
the words that are spoken
From this reading But first a few words of explanation.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
wrothadjective
vehemently incensed and condemnatory
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above, And life is thorny, and youth is vain, And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain.
