used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
BEHINDprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading BEHIND THE GREAT GATE.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
a youthful male person
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
browneradjectiveUS /ˈbraʊnər/
comparative of “brown” — of a color similar to that of wood or earth
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
carewornadjective
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
Ciseaux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
deepenedverbUS /ˈdiːpənd/
past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
drearier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading He was driving two unruly goats towards the house.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
fire-lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
furrows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading BEHIND THE GREAT GATE.
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 That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
goatsnounUS /ɡoʊts/
plural of “goat” — any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns
From this reading He was driving two unruly goats towards the house.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading BEHIND THE GREAT GATE.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
homewardadverbUS /ˈhoʊmwərd/
toward home
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
JoycenounUS /dʒɔɪs/
influential Irish writer noted for his many innovations (such as stream of consciousness writing) (1882-1941)
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
a particular point in time
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
ninetyadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪnti/
being ten more than eighty
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
scissorsnounUS /ˈsɪzərz/
an edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
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 That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
stumblingverbUS /ˈstʌmbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
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 That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BEHIND THE GREAT GATE.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
in the direction of
From this reading He was driving two unruly goats towards the house.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He was driving two unruly goats towards the house.
unrulyadjectiveUS /ənˈruːli/
noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline
From this reading He was driving two unruly goats towards the house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading Back of the Ciseaux house was a dreary field, growing drearier and browner every moment as the twilight deepened; and across its rough furrows a tired boy was stumbling wearily homeward.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading That was the tale of the giant scissors as it was told to Joyce in the pleasant fire-lighted room; but behind the great gates the true story went on in a far different way.
a Caucasian
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
a late time of life
From this reading He was not more than nine years old, but the careworn expression of his thin white face might have belonged to a little old man of ninety.
