used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Very cautiously he crept up behind her, and touched her gently on the arm.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Very cautiously he crept up behind her, and touched her gently on the arm.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading Very cautiously he crept up behind her, and touched her gently on the arm.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Very cautiously he crept up behind her, and touched her gently on the arm.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
geesenounUS /ɡiːs/
plural of “goose” — web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Very cautiously he crept up behind her, and touched her gently on the arm.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
goose-girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
grassyadjectiveUS /ˈɡræsi/
abounding in grass
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
industriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəs/
characterized by hard work and perseverance
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
knittingnounUS /ˈnɪtɪŋ/
needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
Kora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
engage in
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
mindingverbUS /ˈmaɪndɪŋ/
-ing form of “mind” — be offended or bothered by; take offense with, be bothered by
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
moundnounUS /maʊnd/
(baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Very cautiously he crept up behind her, and touched her gently on the arm.
on one occasion
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
cut with a saw
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
having come into contact
From this reading Very cautiously he crept up behind her, and touched her gently on the arm.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
trollnounUS /troʊl/
(Scandanavian folklore) a supernatural creature (either a dwarf or a giant) that is supposed to live in caves or in the mountains
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Very cautiously he crept up behind her, and touched her gently on the arm.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
precisely as stated
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
look attentively
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
showing sorrow
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
at the time that
From this reading But one day when he stood at his threshold to look at her, he saw that she had let her knitting fall into her lap, and that instead of singing, she was weeping bitterly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
which person or people
From this reading There was once a goose-girl named Kora, who used to herd her master’s geese in a certain field.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading Now at one end of this field there was a grassy mound, inside which lived a very rich and wicked troll, who came every day to his doorway to watch the goose-girl as she sat in the shadow of a hollow tree, knitting and singing, and minding her geese.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “She is so cheerful and industrious,” said he to himself, “that doubtless she would make a very good wife.”
