used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
(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 The parish of Michael began that day with all its old observances.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
annualadjectiveUS /ˈænjuːəl/
completing its life cycle within a year
From this reading It was their annual hunting of the wren.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
baseradjectiveUS /ˈbeɪsər/
comparative of “base” — serving as or forming a base
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The parish of Michael began that day with all its old observances.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
Christmas-eve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
the first light of day
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
EWAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
feeblyadverbUS /ˈfiːbli/
in a faint and feeble manner
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading It was their annual hunting of the wren.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The parish of Michael began that day with all its old observances.
lanesnounUS /leɪnz/
plural of “lane” — a narrow way or road
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
go away from a place
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
lustyadjectiveUS /ˈlʌsti/
vigorously passionate
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading The parish of Michael began that day with all its old observances.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
newlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/
very recently
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
observancesnounUS /əbˈzɜːrvənsɪz/
plural of “observance” — the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading The parish of Michael began that day with all its old observances.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The parish of Michael began that day with all its old observances.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
parishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading The parish of Michael began that day with all its old observances.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
polenounUS /poʊl/
a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
having a supporting base
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
sticksnounUS /stɪks/
plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
suspendedadjectiveUS /səˈspendɪd/
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was their annual hunting of the wren.
in or at that place or location
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
very small
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
weeadjectiveUS /wiː/
(used informally) very small
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Before the parish had sat down to its Christmas breakfast two of these lusty enemies of the tiny bird were standing in the street of the village with a long pole from shoulder to shoulder and a wee wren suspended from the middle of it.
in or at the place that
From this reading HOW EWAN CAME TO CHURCH It is essential to the progress of this history that we should leave Dan where he now is, in the peace of a great soul newly awakened, and go back to the beginning of this Christmas Day on shore.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
whoopverbUS /wuːp/
shout, as if with joy or enthusiasm
From this reading While the dawn of Christmas morning was struggling but feebly with the night of Christmas-eve a gang of the baser sort went out with lanterns and long sticks into the lanes, there to whoop and beat the bushes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The parish of Michael began that day with all its old observances.
wrennounUS /ren/
English architect who designed more than fifty London churches (1632-1723)
From this reading It was their annual hunting of the wren.
