used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
a youthful male person
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading But the boy's task lagged behind fulfilment, and mocked him.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the boy's task lagged behind fulfilment, and mocked him.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
cleansedverbUS /klenzd/
past form of “cleanse” — clean one's body or parts thereof, as by washing
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
departingverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
doubletnoun
a man's close-fitting jacket; worn during the Renaissance
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
dyedadjectiveUS /daɪd/
(used of color) artificially produced; not natural
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
fulfilmentnoun
a feeling of satisfaction at having achieved your desires
From this reading But the boy's task lagged behind fulfilment, and mocked him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
hosenounUS /hoʊz/
socks and stockings and tights collectively (the British include underwear)
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
HUGH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HUGH THE WRITER.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
laggedverbUS /læɡd/
inflected form of “lag” — hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
From this reading But the boy's task lagged behind fulfilment, and mocked him.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
mockedverbUS /mɑːkt/
past form of “mock” — treat with contempt
From this reading But the boy's task lagged behind fulfilment, and mocked him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
openingsnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋz/
plural of “opening” — an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
shelf-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading But the boy's task lagged behind fulfilment, and mocked him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HUGH THE WRITER.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
thicknessnounUS /ˈθɪknəs/
the dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
utensilsnounUS /juːˈtensəlz/
plural of “utensil” — an implement for practical use (especially in a household)
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
vaultedadjectiveUS /ˈvɔːltɪd/
having a hemispherical vault or dome
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
in or at the place that
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading HUGH THE WRITER.
writersnounUS /ˈraɪtərz/
plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Similar openings to the right and left of him marked with bars of light a dozen other places along the extended, shelf-like table, where writers had now finished their day's labor, and, departing, had left covered horns of ink and cleansed utensils behind them.
the act of creating written works
From this reading A boy of fifteen, clad in doublet and hose of plain cloth dyed a sober brown, sat alone at one end of a broad, vaulted room, before a writing table.
yard'snounUS /jɑːrdz/
possessive form of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The strong, clear light which covered him and his work fell through an open window, arched at the top and piercing a stone wall of almost a yard's thickness.
