used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
buildersnounUS /ˈbɪldərz/
plural of “builder” — a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
chimenounUS /tʃaɪm/
a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
chimesnounUS /tʃaɪmz/
plural of “chime” — a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
jackdaws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
a room where books are kept
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
engage in
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
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 When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
and nothing more
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
in other respects or ways
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
preachverbUS /priːtʃ/
deliver a sermon
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/
prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
express in speech
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
not in physical motion
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
SUPPER-BELL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SUPPER-BELL.
swiftsnounUS /swɪfts/
plural of “swift” — United States meat-packer who began the use of refrigerated railroad cars (1839-1903)
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SUPPER-BELL.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
precisely as stated
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
at the time that
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
in or at the place that
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Very likely in the Library, where we still keep a great collection of perfectly useless books, there is preserved some History which may speak of these Bells, and of the builders of the House.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading We have long since ceased to preach to the people, otherwise we might make them learn a great deal from the animal world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
a late time of life
From this reading When the big bell in the Tower of the House of Life struck the hour of seven, the other bells began to chime as they had done every day at this hour for I know not how many years.
but in spite of that
From this reading When these chimes began, the swifts and jackdaws which live in the Tower began to fly about with a great show of hurry, as if there was barely time for supper, though, as it was yet only the month of July, the sun would not be setting for an hour or more.
