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Chapter XIII
A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet. —Song in Hamlet. “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all! Who has done this? Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Who has done this?”
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Who has done this?”
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading “Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.”
To move from a closed position.
From this reading “Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.”
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading “A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ““Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ““Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Who has done this?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading —Song in Hamlet.
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Who has done this?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading —Song in Hamlet.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
not any; not one
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading —Song in Hamlet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Who has done this?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A pickaxe, and a spade, a spade, For,—and a shrouding sheet: O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
which person or people
From this reading Who has done this?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading “Stand back! stand off, the whole of ye!” said Esther hoarsely to the crowd, which pressed too closely on the corpse; “I am his mother, and my right is better than that of ye all!
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Tell me, Ishmael, Abiram, Abner! open your mouths and your hearts, and let God’s truth and no other issue from them.
