used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
for the reason that
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
bee-hive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
brad-awl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
brain-pan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
constitutionnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/
law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
drillsnounUS /drɪlz/
plural of “drill” — a tool with a sharp point and cutting edges for making holes in hard materials (usually rotating rapidly or by repeated blows)
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
empty-headedadjective
lacking seriousness; given to frivolity
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
exemptionnounUS /ɪɡˈzempʃən/
immunity from an obligation or duty
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
highly-dappled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
honeynounUS /ˈhʌni/
a sweet yellow liquid produced by bees
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
inwardsadverb
to or toward the inside of
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
staying power
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
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 And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
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 MANY WEAK MOMENTS.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading MANY WEAK MOMENTS.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
not any; not one
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
and nothing more
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
the local environment
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
an amount of time
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
prickverbUS /prɪk/
make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
precisely, exactly
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
spotsnounUS /spɑːts/
spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
steadfastadjectiveUS /ˈstedfæst/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
surviveverbUS /sərˈvaɪv/
continue to live and avoid dying
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
carry out
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nothing less than steadfast faith, and an ancient British constitution, can have enabled me to survive this highly-dappled period.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading MANY WEAK MOMENTS.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
at the time that
From this reading It was not in my body only, or legs, or parts I think nothing of, but in my brain that I felt it most, when I had the sense to feel it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
in the company of; together with
From this reading An empty-headed man might have laughed at the little drills into his brain-pan; but with me (as with a good bee-hive early in October) there could not be the prick of a brad-awl but went into honey.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading And having a brain which has no right to claim exemption from proper work, because of being under average, I happened to take a long time to recover from so many spots striking inwards.
