used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
(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 THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading He was the poor blind man, he said, And we--how low he bent his head!
brought into existence
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
the act of breaking something
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
uttered without voice
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
childhood's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
demanding attention
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
dearly loved
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
ENDINGnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
a movement into or inward
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
an old word for “before”
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
divisible by two
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
opinion or judgment
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
frankincensenounUS /ˈfræŋkənsens/
an aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or East African trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
giftsnounUS /ɡɪfts/
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
gloriesnounUS /ˈɡlɔːriz/
plural of “glory” — a state of high honor
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
coins made of gold
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
Good-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
greetverbUS /ɡriːt/
express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He was the poor blind man, he said, And we--how low he bent his head!
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the poor blind man, he said, And we--how low he bent his head!
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He was the poor blind man, he said, And we--how low he bent his head!
engage in
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was the poor blind man, he said, And we--how low he bent his head!
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
the force of workers available
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
mirthnounUS /mɜːrθ/
great merriment
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
mornnounUS /mɔːrn/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
myrrhnounUS /mɜːr/
aromatic resin that is burned as incense and used in perfume
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
Peterkin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading He was the poor blind man, he said, And we--how low he bent his head!
PromptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
To recall to mind.
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
cut with a saw
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
express in words
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
with low volume
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
Wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
look attentively
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE HAPPY ENDING We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A weary, weary watch to keep Before the gates of the City of Sleep; But, ere we came, he did not dare Even to dream of entering in, Or even to hope for Peterkin.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then he looked up and mother knelt Beside us, oh, her eyes were bright; Her arms were like a lovely belt All round us as we said Good-night To father: _he_ was crying now, But they were happy tears, somehow; For there we saw dear mother lay Her cheek against his cheek and say-- Hush, let me kiss those tears away.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Then memory came like a breaking morn, And we breathed it to him--_A child was born!_ And there he drew us to his breast And softly murmured all the rest.-- _The wise men came to greet him with their gifts of myrrh and frankincense,--_ _Gold and myrrh and frankincense they brought to make him mirth;_ _And would you know the way to win to little brother Peterkin,_ _My childhood’s heart shall guide you through the glories of the earth._
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then he called mother near; and low He whispered to us--“Prompt me now; For I forget that song we heard, But you remember every word.”
