used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But week after week elapsed, until Christmas was some time gone, and nothing happened.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
Bonamy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But week after week elapsed, until Christmas was some time gone, and nothing happened.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading But week after week elapsed, until Christmas was some time gone, and nothing happened.
Clode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So it seemed to Stephen Clode.
curatenounUS /ˈkjʊrət/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
curlverbUS /kɜːrl/
form a curl, curve, or kink
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
decisiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/
determining or having the power to determine an outcome
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading But week after week elapsed, until Christmas was some time gone, and nothing happened.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
fuseverbUS /fjuːz/
mix together different elements
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
destroyed or killed
From this reading But week after week elapsed, until Christmas was some time gone, and nothing happened.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading But week after week elapsed, until Christmas was some time gone, and nothing happened.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
set down according to a plan
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
lawyer'snounUS /ˈlɔːjərz/
possessive form of “lawyer” — a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
provided with artificial light
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
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 When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But week after week elapsed, until Christmas was some time gone, and nothing happened.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
by chance
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
prudencenounUS /ˈpruːdəns/
discretion in practical affairs
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
rectornounUS /ˈrektər/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading So it seemed to Stephen Clode.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But week after week elapsed, until Christmas was some time gone, and nothing happened.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/
English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading So it seemed to Stephen Clode.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
very small
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But week after week elapsed, until Christmas was some time gone, and nothing happened.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The curate looked to see an explosion follow immediately upon the rector taking the decisive step of turning out the sheep.
directed up
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But week after week elapsed, until Christmas was some time gone, and nothing happened.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading But week after week elapsed, until Christmas was some time gone, and nothing happened.
at the time that
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
which person or people
From this reading When a mine has been laid, and the fuse lit, and the tiny thread of smoke has begun to curl upward, it is apt to seem a long time—so I am told by those who have stood and watched such things—before the earth flies into the air.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading Mr. Bonamy, with a lawyer’s prudence, wrote another letter, and for a time, perhaps out of regard to the season, held his hand.
