used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Author of _In Cotton Wool_, _Mrs. Thompson_, _Seymour Charlton_, etc.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
blocksnounUS /blɑːks/
plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
blownadjectiveUS /bloʊn/
being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
budsnounUS /bʌdz/
plural of “bud” — a partially opened flower
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
Charlton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of _In Cotton Wool_, _Mrs. Thompson_, _Seymour Charlton_, etc.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
chokeverbUS /tʃoʊk/
breathe with great difficulty, as when experiencing a strong emotion
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
gotten under control
From this reading Perhaps this envelope contained his fate.
CottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading Author of _In Cotton Wool_, _Mrs. Thompson_, _Seymour Charlton_, etc.
(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of _In Cotton Wool_, _Mrs. Thompson_, _Seymour Charlton_, etc.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Perhaps this envelope contained his fate.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
filthnounUS /fɪlθ/
any substance considered disgustingly foul or unpleasant
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
imitateverbUS /ˈɪməteɪt/
reproduce someone's behavior or looks
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Author of _In Cotton Wool_, _Mrs. Thompson_, _Seymour Charlton_, etc.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
and nothing more
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
mailbagnounUS /ˈmeɪlbæɡ/
pouch used in the shipment of mail
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Author of _In Cotton Wool_, _Mrs. Thompson_, _Seymour Charlton_, etc.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author of _In Cotton Wool_, _Mrs. Thompson_, _Seymour Charlton_, etc.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
a course of conduct
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
percussions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps this envelope contained his fate.
plantsnounUS /plænts/
plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
playeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
pliedverbUS /plaɪd/
inflected form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
postmasternounUS /ˈpoʊstmæstər/
the person in charge of a post office
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
quickeradverbUS /ˈkwɪkər/
more quickly
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
SeymournounUS /ˈsiːmɔːr/
Queen of England as the third wife of Henry VIII and mother of Edward VI (1509-1537)
From this reading Author of _In Cotton Wool_, _Mrs. Thompson_, _Seymour Charlton_, etc.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
sorting-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
stampers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Perhaps this envelope contained his fate.
ThompsonnounUS /ˈtɑːmpsən/
United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)
From this reading Author of _In Cotton Wool_, _Mrs. Thompson_, _Seymour Charlton_, etc.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
tramplingnounUS /ˈtræmplɪŋ/
the sound of heavy treading or stomping
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
hard to endure
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
uprootingverbUS /əˈpruːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “uproot” — move (people) forcibly from their homeland into a new and foreign environment
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The village postmaster stood staring at an official envelope that had just been shaken out of a mailbag upon the sorting-table.
wantonverbUS /ˈwɔːntən/
waste time; spend one's time idly or inefficiently
From this reading The Devil playeth in a man's mind like a wanton child in a garden, bringing his filth to choke each open path, uprooting the tender plants, and trampling the buds that should have blown for the Master.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was addressed to himself; and for a few moments his heart beat quicker, with sharp, clean percussions, as if it were trying to imitate the sounds made by the two clerks as they plied their stampers on the blocks.
WoolnounUS /wʊl/
a fabric made from the hair of sheep
From this reading Author of _In Cotton Wool_, _Mrs. Thompson_, _Seymour Charlton_, etc.
