Chapter V · The Prodigal Son

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

later than; following

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

14 books of the Old Testament included in the Vulgate (except for II Esdras) but omitted in Jewish and Protestant versions of the Bible

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

capable of being applied; having relevance

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

plural of “debt” — the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

in a decent manner

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

a large number or amount

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

plural of “dun” — horse of a dull brownish grey color

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

have an existence, be extant

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

like or befitting a father or fatherhood; kind and protective

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

the time of life between 40 and 50

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

plural of “jungle” — a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

feeling or showing love and affection

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

joined in matrimony

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

a form of address for a man

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

the immediate descendants of a person

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

have ownership or possession of

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

a short moral story (often with animal characters)

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

past form of “preach” — deliver a sermon

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

a recklessly extravagant consumer

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

showing firm determination or purpose

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

change to the contrary

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

move upward

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

in or at or to some place

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

a male human offspring

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

plural of “squatter” — someone who settles lawfully on government land with the intent to acquire title to it

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

required or under orders

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

stout-bodied short-legged omnivorous animals

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

causing difficulty or annoyance

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

at the time that

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

in or at the place that

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

in or to any place at all

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

in the company of; together with

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading When fatherly loving is quite worn out, And how to exist is a matter of doubt?

afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief

From this reading "Oh, what becomes of our prodigal sons When worried by troublesome debts and duns.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading When Mr. Clendon, Vicar of Deswarth, preached on the parable of "The Prodigal Son" he little thought that it would one day be applicable to his own offspring.

the act of creating written works

From this reading Well, some go writing in London town, A few rise up and a lot fall down, Many as squatters go south of the line And 'tend to their sheep instead of their swine, Dozens in African jungles now rest, Numbers ranch in the far wild west; But have they full or an empty purse, Have they lived decently or the reverse, Married or single, wherever they roam Our prodigal sons in the end come home."

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet such was the case, for Tobias Clendon--called after that celebrated character in the Apocrypha--came home from Oxford, where he was supposed to be studying for the Church, and resolutely refused to become a curate, with the chance of a possible bishopric somewhere about the forties.