used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MEDMER MELTS A SILVER SPOON.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
agedadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
the act of burning something
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
candle-stick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
coalsnounUS /koʊlz/
plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
confinesnounUS /ˈkɑːnfaɪnz/
a bounded scope
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/
close interaction
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
crispadjectiveUS /krɪsp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
MEDMER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEDMER MELTS A SILVER SPOON.
MELTSnounUS /melts/
plural of “melt” — the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading MEDMER MELTS A SILVER SPOON.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
move by turning over or rotating
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
round-shoulderedadjective
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
do one's shopping
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading MEDMER MELTS A SILVER SPOON.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
SPOONnounUS /spuːn/
a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food
From this reading MEDMER MELTS A SILVER SPOON.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
Theed's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
very small
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
To-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
precisely as stated
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
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 Behind him on the table a candle, burning in a tall, old-fashioned candle-stick, threw a giant round-shouldered shadow of the captain on the wall and part of the ceiling of the room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
wistfullyadverbUS /ˈwɪstfəli/
in a wistful manner
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a clear, crisp November evening, with a touch of frost in the air, and the captain sat in his little parlour before a tiny fire, staring into the coals.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading To-night he sat and stared into the coals and thought a little wistfully of the past, and wondered a little what had become of the figures that had acted out their lives in close contact with his--some of them, indeed, in that very room.
a late time of life
From this reading Two years had gone by since the captain stood outside Medmer Theed's shop and watched the carriage roll away--two years during which he had aged a little more, and had gone but little beyond the confines of his garden.
