used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
in a state of sleep
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
ColoursnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a distinguishing emblem
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
drumsnounUS /drʌmz/
plural of “drum” — a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading Roll drums merrily--march away!"
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
embarkverbUS /emˈbɑːrk/
go on board
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
moving swiftly
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
gossipsnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəps/
plural of “gossip” — light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
infantnounUS /ˈɪnfənt/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
march in a procession
From this reading Roll drums merrily--march away!"
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
merrilyadverbUS /ˈmerəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading Roll drums merrily--march away!"
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
Quentin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
RattlesnounUS /ˈrætəlz/
plural of “rattle” — a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
reviewnounUS /ˌriːˈvjuː/
a new appraisal or evaluation
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
move by turning over or rotating
From this reading Roll drums merrily--march away!"
sabrenounUS /ˈseɪbər/
a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
cut with a saw
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
express in words
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE YOUNG VOLUNTEER.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
propel through the air
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
toysnounUS /tɔɪz/
plural of “toy” — an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading _Old Song._ Quentin had been asleep--to him it seemed but five minutes, though two hours had elapsed--when he started as if he had received an electric shock.
except if; if not
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
VOLUNTEERverbUS /ˌvɑːlənˈtɪr/
tell voluntarily
From this reading THE YOUNG VOLUNTEER.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
at the time that
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "When I was an infant, gossips would say I'd when older be a soldier; Rattles and toys I'd throw them away, Unless a gun or sabre.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading THE YOUNG VOLUNTEER.
younkernounUS /ˈjʌŋkər/
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading When a younker up I grew, I saw one day a grand review, Colours flying set me dying, To embark in a life so new.
