used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
disadvantagenounUS /ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪdʒ/
the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
at any time
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
frownverbUS /fraʊn/
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
Gran'fa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
grandfather'snounUS /ˈɡrændfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
grufflyadverbUS /ˈɡrʌfli/
in a gruff manner
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
an opening into or through something
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
Nat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
nighadjectiveUS /naɪ/
not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
on one occasion
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
and nothing more
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
by chance
From this reading I thought that perhaps he was trying to remember.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
To recall to mind.
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
shelfnounUS /ʃelf/
A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
transport commercially
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
snortverbUS /snɔːrt/
indicate contempt by breathing noisily and forcefully through the nose
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
having a supporting base
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
STEPHEN'SnounUS /ˈstiːvənz/
possessive form of “stephen” — English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
Stevy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
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 STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I thought that perhaps he was trying to remember.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I thought that perhaps he was trying to remember.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I thought that perhaps he was trying to remember.
hard to endure
From this reading I thought that perhaps he was trying to remember.
two times
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
twitchverbUS /twɪtʃ/
make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
precisely as stated
From this reading But he only said, gruffly, and with a quick sound like a snort: "Very nigh killed myself once or twice, Stevy, in my time," and rose hastily from his chair to reach a picture of a ship that was standing on a shelf.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a twitch and a frown on my grandfather's face, and he sat back as one at a moment's disadvantage.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE Many small matters of my first few hours at the Hole in the Wall were impressed on me by later events.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading In particular I remember the innocent curiosity with which I asked: "Did you ever kill a man, Gran'fa' Nat?"
