used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HERON DYKE AND ITS INMATES.
antiquitynounUS /ænˈtɪkwəti/
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Denisons had never been more than plain country squires.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The Denisons had never been more than plain country squires.
Denisons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
Denzons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
command with authority
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
DYKEnounUS /daɪk/
(slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading HERON DYKE AND ITS INMATES.
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
at any time
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
a social unit living together
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/
at a previous time
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Denisons had never been more than plain country squires.
only a very short time before
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
HERONnounUS /ˈherən/
Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)
From this reading HERON DYKE AND ITS INMATES.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
INMATESnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/
plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading HERON DYKE AND ITS INMATES.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading HERON DYKE AND ITS INMATES.
lapseverbUS /læps/
pass into a specified state or condition
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
mistsnounUS /mɪsts/
plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
mootadjectiveUS /muːt/
of no legal significance (as having been previously decided)
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The Denisons had never been more than plain country squires.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The Denisons had never been more than plain country squires.
NorfolknounUS /ˈnɔːrfək/
port city located in southeastern Virginia on the Elizabeth River at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay; headquarters of the Atlantic fleet of the United States Navy
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
pedigreenounUS /ˈpedəɡri/
the descendants of one individual
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The Denisons had never been more than plain country squires.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
reignverbUS /reɪn/
have sovereign power
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
satisfactorilyadverbUS /ˌsætɪˈsfæktrəli/
in a satisfactory manner
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
squiresnounUS /ˈskwaɪərz/
plural of “squire” — young nobleman attendant on a knight
From this reading The Denisons had never been more than plain country squires.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The Denisons had never been more than plain country squires.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
a just detectable amount
From this reading They could trace back their descent in a direct line as far as the reign of Henry the Third, but beyond that their pedigree was lost in the mists of antiquity.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Denisons--or Denzons, as they used formerly to spell their name--were one of the oldest families in that part of Norfolk in which Heron Dyke was situated.
which person or people
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Who was the first member of the family that settled at Heron Dyke, and how he came by the estate, were moot points which it was hardly likely would ever be satisfactorily cleared up after such a lapse of time.
