used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
(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 All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The theme was one of thanksgiving and praise, and my heart was lifted to the level of the words.
anthemnounUS /ˈænθəm/
a song of devotion or loyalty (as to a nation or school)
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
aververbUS /ˈeɪvər/
report or maintain
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
a youthful male person
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
a young person of either sex
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
compositionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃən/
the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
cousin'snounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
possessive form of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
crowedverbUS /kroʊd/
past form of “crow” — dwell on with satisfaction
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
earnedadjectiveUS /ɜːrnd/
gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
at any time
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
harpsichordnounUS /ˈhɑːrpsəkɔːrd/
a clavier with strings that are plucked by plectra mounted on pivots
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The theme was one of thanksgiving and praise, and my heart was lifted to the level of the words.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The theme was one of thanksgiving and praise, and my heart was lifted to the level of the words.
held up in the air
From this reading The theme was one of thanksgiving and praise, and my heart was lifted to the level of the words.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
subject to death
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
and nothing more
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
pickingnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading The theme was one of thanksgiving and praise, and my heart was lifted to the level of the words.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
sufficiencynounUS /səˈfɪʃənsi/
sufficient resources to provide comfort and meet obligations
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
TEMPTATIONnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
thanksgivingnounUS /ˌθæŋksˈɡɪvɪŋ/
fourth Thursday in November in the United States; second Monday in October in Canada; commemorates a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
From this reading The theme was one of thanksgiving and praise, and my heart was lifted to the level of the words.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
themenounUS /θiːm/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The theme was one of thanksgiving and praise, and my heart was lifted to the level of the words.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As for my chance of ever getting that huge fortune by my cousin's death, I can safely aver that I never so much as thought of it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The theme was one of thanksgiving and praise, and my heart was lifted to the level of the words.
tranquillitynounUS /træŋˈkwɪlɪti/
an untroubled state; free from disturbances
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE TEMPTATION One morning, about six weeks after the funeral, I was sitting at the harpsichord, picking out an anthem of my own composition.
which person or people
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
the words that are spoken
From this reading The theme was one of thanksgiving and praise, and my heart was lifted to the level of the words.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Can mortal man desire greater happiness than to have the work of his own choice; the wife who is to him the only woman in the world: a strong and lovely child: and a sufficiency earned by his own work?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading All around was peace and tranquillity: on the river bank outside Alice walked up and down carrying our child, now nearly a year and a half old: the boy crowed and laughed: the mother would have been singing, but she would not disturb me at work.
