used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading “Wither away, my ancient?” he asked the elder of them in a tone of mockery.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
Antek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “On duty, Master Farmer.—Are we bound for the same place?”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Wither away, my ancient?” he asked the elder of them in a tone of mockery.
assemblynounUS /əˈsembli/
a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
boughnounUS /baʊ/
any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
confined by bonds
From this reading “On duty, Master Farmer.—Are we bound for the same place?”
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
lacking funds
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
Brown-Coats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
deliberatingverbUS /dɪˈlɪbəreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “deliberate” — think about carefully; weigh
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading “On duty, Master Farmer.—Are we bound for the same place?”
a person who is older than you are
From this reading “Wither away, my ancient?” he asked the elder of them in a tone of mockery.
divisible by two
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
eyeingverbUS /ˈaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “eye” — look at
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading “On duty, Master Farmer.—Are we bound for the same place?”
enclose with a fence
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “On duty, Master Farmer.—Are we bound for the same place?”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
gendarmes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Wither away, my ancient?” he asked the elder of them in a tone of mockery.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading “On duty, Master Farmer.—Are we bound for the same place?”
a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
mockerynounUS /ˈmɑːkəri/
showing your contempt by derision
From this reading “Wither away, my ancient?” he asked the elder of them in a tone of mockery.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Wither away, my ancient?” he asked the elder of them in a tone of mockery.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
perceivingverbUS /pərˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “perceive” — to become aware of through the senses
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading “On duty, Master Farmer.—Are we bound for the same place?”
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
Identical; not different.
From this reading “On duty, Master Farmer.—Are we bound for the same place?”
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
in the near future
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Wither away, my ancient?” he asked the elder of them in a tone of mockery.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading “Wither away, my ancient?” he asked the elder of them in a tone of mockery.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
precisely as stated
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “On duty, Master Farmer.—Are we bound for the same place?”
at the time that
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
whittlingverbUS /ˈwɪtlɪŋ/
-ing form of “whittle” — cut small bits or pare shavings from
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
which person or people
From this reading On his way, he broke off a large bough, and set about whittling it into a stick, leaning against a fence, and eyeing the “Brown-Coats,” who walked as slowly as they could, but could not help coming up with him very soon.
willinglyadverbUS /ˈwɪlɪŋli/
in a willing manner
From this reading Antek left the assembly about as willingly as a cat driven away from a bowl of milk.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was even deliberating whether he had not better return, when, perceiving the gendarmes following him, he was struck with an idea.
WitherverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading “Wither away, my ancient?” he asked the elder of them in a tone of mockery.
![The peasants, [vol. 4]](/static/images/covers-gen/the-peasants-vol-4.academy.webp)