Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Had I been able to choose for myself I should have been, like my father, a pilot.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Had I been able to choose for myself I should have been, like my father, a pilot.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

capable of wounding

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But work of the kind I was fitted for was scarce in Orkney.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading Had I been able to choose for myself I should have been, like my father, a pilot.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

a social unit living together

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Had I been able to choose for myself I should have been, like my father, a pilot.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

any material that fills a space or container

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

being the right size and shape to fit as desired

From this reading But work of the kind I was fitted for was scarce in Orkney.

a church congregation guided by a pastor

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

plural of “frost” — ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

depressingly dark

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

a state of misfortune or affliction

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had I been able to choose for myself I should have been, like my father, a pilot.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

Reduced to poverty; having very little money or resources.

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

a quantity that is added

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading But work of the kind I was fitted for was scarce in Orkney.

darkened with overcast

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Had I been able to choose for myself I should have been, like my father, a pilot.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Had I been able to choose for myself I should have been, like my father, a pilot.

an event that happens

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But work of the kind I was fitted for was scarce in Orkney.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

causing physical or psychological pain

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

operate an airplane

From this reading Had I been able to choose for myself I should have been, like my father, a pilot.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

plural of “resource” — available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

cut with a saw

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

only a very short time before

From this reading But work of the kind I was fitted for was scarce in Orkney.

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Had I been able to choose for myself I should have been, like my father, a pilot.

plural of “sigh” — an utterance made by exhaling audibly

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

without speaking

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

make (images or sounds) soft or softer

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

plural of “sorrow” — an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

in the direction of

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

at the time that

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

during the time that

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

belonging to which person

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The unfortunate occurrence which deprived us of our little flock of sheep brought an increase of sorrow and hardship to our family, whose resources had already been so greatly impoverished; and when the gloomy winter days came on, with their biting frosts and keen cold winds, the prospects at Lyndardy grew as dull as the leaden clouds that hung in the sky.

affected by or full of grief or woe

From this reading Our mother's woeful sighs were painful to my ears, while I felt how helpless I was to soften her sorrows.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading But work of the kind I was fitted for was scarce in Orkney.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Sometimes, when I saw the tears in her eyes, I would silently wish for her sake that I was older and could do more towards filling my father's place.