used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Whew! what a weariness is civilization!" said the man, with comical eyes.
affrontnounUS /əˈfrʌnt/
a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of deliberate disrespect
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
(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 "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
bandsnounUS /bændz/
plural of “band” — an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading "Whew! what a weariness is civilization!" said the man, with comical eyes.
clothing in general
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
comicaladjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪkəl/
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading "Whew! what a weariness is civilization!" said the man, with comical eyes.
descendantnounUS /dɪˈsendənt/
a person considered as descended from some ancestor
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
Dickon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
Etterick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
opinion or judgment
From this reading "Whew! what a weariness is civilization!" said the man, with comical eyes.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
a young female
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
Glenavelin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
incongruitynounUS /ˌɪŋkɔːŋˈruːɪti/
the quality of disagreeing; being unsuitable and inappropriate
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Whew! what a weariness is civilization!" said the man, with comical eyes.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Whew! what a weariness is civilization!" said the man, with comical eyes.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
moodsnounUS /muːdz/
plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
the light of the Moon
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
not any; not one
From this reading "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
prizenounUS /praɪz/
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
riddenverbUS /ˈrɪdən/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
servesnounUS /sɜːrvz/
plural of “serve” — (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
From this reading "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
shapesnounUS /ʃeɪps/
plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
swornadjectiveUS /swɔːrn/
bound by or as if by an oath
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
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 girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
wearinessnounUS /ˈwɪrinəs/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading "Whew! what a weariness is civilization!" said the man, with comical eyes.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The girl was sensitive to moods of season and weather, and she had almost laughed at the incongruity of the two of them in modern clothes in this fit setting for an old tale.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Whew! what a weariness is civilization!" said the man, with comical eyes.
Whew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Whew! what a weariness is civilization!" said the man, with comical eyes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And now his descendant was pointing out dim shapes in the park which he said were prize cattle.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Dickon of Glenavelin, the sworn foe of the Lord of Etterick, on such nights as this had ridden up the water with his bands to affront the quiet moonlight.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading "We have been making talk with difficulty all the evening which serves no purpose in the world.
