used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
(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 "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading The gypsy smiled, as he answered, "I require no professional help from the devil, sir, to foretell your fortune."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
lacking funds
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
caravannounUS /ˈkærəvæn/
a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
cheerfullyadverbUS /ˈtʃɪrfəli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
complacentlyadverbUS /kəmˈpleɪsəntli/
in a self-satisfied manner
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
travel across or pass over
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading The gypsy smiled, as he answered, "I require no professional help from the devil, sir, to foretell your fortune."
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
opinion or judgment
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
foretellverbUS /fɔːrˈtel/
foreshadow or presage
From this reading The gypsy smiled, as he answered, "I require no professional help from the devil, sir, to foretell your fortune."
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading The gypsy smiled, as he answered, "I require no professional help from the devil, sir, to foretell your fortune."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
good-humouredadjective
disposed to please
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
gypsynounUS /ˈdʒɪpsi/
a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
Hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The gypsy smiled, as he answered, "I require no professional help from the devil, sir, to foretell your fortune."
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The gypsy smiled, as he answered, "I require no professional help from the devil, sir, to foretell your fortune."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
latticenounUS /ˈlætəs/
an arrangement of points or particles or objects in a regular periodic pattern in 2 or 3 dimensions
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
leapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
not any; not one
From this reading The gypsy smiled, as he answered, "I require no professional help from the devil, sir, to foretell your fortune."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
and nothing more
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
coated with paint
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
pities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
pompnounUS /pɑːmp/
cheap or pretentious or vain display
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading The gypsy smiled, as he answered, "I require no professional help from the devil, sir, to foretell your fortune."
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading The gypsy smiled, as he answered, "I require no professional help from the devil, sir, to foretell your fortune."
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
cut with a saw
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
term of address for a man
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading The gypsy smiled, as he answered, "I require no professional help from the devil, sir, to foretell your fortune."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
soundlyadverbUS /ˈsaʊndli/
deeply or completely
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
waitsnounUS /weɪts/
plural of “wait” — time during which some action is awaited
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "It were a thousand pities," cried the guest, leaping from his bed, "that so pretty a face should look cross on my account, so I will not keep her waiting an instant."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp?--As You Like It.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You slept so soundly, sir, that I did not like to disturb you; but my good wife only waits your rising to have all ready for breakfast."
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading The sun broke cheerfully through the small lattice of the caravan, as the youth opened his eyes and saw the good-humoured countenance of his gypsy host bending over him complacently.
