used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
AlesnounUS /eɪlz/
plural of “ale” — a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the United States an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
propose a payment
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
childlessadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldləs/
without offspring
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
demanding attention
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
DISCOVERIESnounUS /dɪˈskʌvəriz/
plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something
From this reading DISCOVERIES.
donkeynounUS /ˈdɑːŋki/
the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
Evan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
a young female
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
half-blind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
helpmatenoun
a helpful partner
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
a narrow way or road
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
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 had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
and nothing more
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
perceiveverbUS /pərˈsiːv/
to become aware of through the senses
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
spoiledadjectiveUS /spɔɪld/
having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
be standing; be upright
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
at the time that
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
in or at the place that
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
widowernounUS /ˈwɪdoʊər/
a man whose wife is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Jones was a childless widower when he first picked up little William crying in the lane, and gave him a lift on his donkey.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading He was much older than Ales, but he was not too old to wish he had as smart and capable a helpmate on his own hearth, where was only his half-blind mother to keep all things fresh and clean.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Many had been the sharp play of words between him and Ales during her progress from girl to woman, and, had not Evan come upon the scene when he did, Robert would certainly have made a bid for her favour.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading He was one of the first to perceive that the younger man had quite spoiled his chances, and was generous enough to stand on one side, and keep his disappointment to himself.
