used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading She now turned to Mother Ceres, and asked her to explain the mystery.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
babiesnounUS /ˈbeɪbiz/
plural of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
CeresnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
(Roman mythology) goddess of agriculture; counterpart of Greek Demeter
From this reading She now turned to Mother Ceres, and asked her to explain the mystery.
a young person of either sex
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
cindernounUS /ˈsɪndər/
a fragment of incombustible matter left after a wood or coal or charcoal fire
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
coalsnounUS /koʊlz/
plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
dearly loved
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
Demophoön
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading She now turned to Mother Ceres, and asked her to explain the mystery.
start firing a weapon
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
fistsnounUS /fɪsts/
plural of “fist” — a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
grievousadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːvəs/
causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
grippingadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
injuredadjectiveUS /ˈɪndʒərd/
harmed
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
Metanira
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She now turned to Mother Ceres, and asked her to explain the mystery.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading She now turned to Mother Ceres, and asked her to explain the mystery.
not any; not one
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She now turned to Mother Ceres, and asked her to explain the mystery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
perceiveverbUS /pərˈsiːv/
to become aware of through the senses
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
queen'snounUS /kwiːnz/
possessive form of “queen” — the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
rakedverbUS /reɪkt/
past form of “rake” — move through with or as if with a rake
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
rudelyadverbUS /ˈruːdli/
in an impolite manner
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
shriekedadjectiveUS /ʃriːkt/
uttered in a shrill scream as of pain or terror
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
snatchedverbUS /snætʃt/
past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
tokennounUS /ˈtoʊkən/
an individual instance of a type of symbol
From this reading To the queen’s astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of the child’s being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading She now turned to Mother Ceres, and asked her to explain the mystery.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
at the time that
From this reading He immediately set up a grievous cry, as babies are apt to do when rudely startled out of a sound sleep.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She burst forth from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and snatched up poor little Prince Demophoön out of his bed of live coals, one of which he was gripping in each of his fists.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder.
