used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading First, you know he was not technically a scholar.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
adjustverbUS /əˈdʒʌst/
alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
(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 had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
antiquarianadjective
of or relating to persons who study or deal in antiques or antiquities
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
armornounUS /ˈɑːrmər/
protective covering made of metal and used in combat
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
asunderadjectiveUS /əˈsʌndər/
widely separated especially in space
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
put or send forth
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
cerements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
clipnounUS /klɪp/
a metal frame or container holding cartridges; can be inserted into an automatic gun
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
deem to be
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
deathlessadjective
never dying
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
any strong feeling
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
exteriornounUS /ɪkˈstɪriər/
the region that is outside of something
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First, you know he was not technically a scholar.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
destroyed or killed
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading First, you know he was not technically a scholar.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
intervenedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈviːnd/
past form of “intervene” — get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
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 He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
lorenounUS /lɔːr/
knowledge gained through tradition or anecdote
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
moth-eatenadjective
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
not any; not one
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading First, you know he was not technically a scholar.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
and nothing more
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
rustyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌsti/
covered with or consisting of rust
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/
A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.
From this reading First, you know he was not technically a scholar.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
technicallyadverbUS /ˈteknɪkəli/
with regard to technique
From this reading First, you know he was not technically a scholar.
express in words
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
in or at that place or location
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Between him and the great ancient hearts he was to read there intervened no frosty twilight of antiquarian lore.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
undertonenounUS /ˈʌndərtoʊn/
a quiet or hushed tone of voice
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading First, you know he was not technically a scholar.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading After dinner in the cabin we moved our chairs out under the trees, and The Man said:
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had not to clip and measure and adjust amid moth-eaten cerements and rusty armor that he might be able to fashion forth the exterior and shell of times long since gone by, but only to cast asunder the gates of the human heart, that those deathless notes might be heard which are the undertone of human emotion in all times.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Yes, I know you wish to hear more about Shakespeare, but before I tell you more of his personal history, let us consider two or three facts in reference to him.
