used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
Beanonoun
a game in which numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
beernounUS /bɪr/
a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
butternounUS /ˈbʌtər/
an edible emulsion of fat globules made by churning milk or cream; for cooking and table use
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
cakenounUS /keɪk/
a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
cheerlessadjective
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading The cheerless monotony was sometimes enlivened with a little innocent merriment.
CrassadjectiveUS /kræs/
(of persons) so unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
Cricketers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
datesnounUS /deɪts/
plural of “date” — the specified day of the month
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
having made preparations
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
enlivenedadjectiveUS /enˈlaɪvənd/
made sprightly or cheerful
From this reading The cheerless monotony was sometimes enlivened with a little innocent merriment.
entertainedadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnd/
pleasantly occupied
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
divisible by two
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
usually; as a rule
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
generouslyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəsli/
in a generous manner
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading The cheerless monotony was sometimes enlivened with a little innocent merriment.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/
existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The cheerless monotony was sometimes enlivened with a little innocent merriment.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
United States poet (1869-1950)
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
the force of workers available
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading The cheerless monotony was sometimes enlivened with a little innocent merriment.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
mistressesnounUS /ˈmɪstrəsəz/
plural of “mistress” — an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
monotonynounUS /məˈnɑːtəni/
the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety
From this reading The cheerless monotony was sometimes enlivened with a little innocent merriment.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
petrifyingadjective
paralyzing with terror
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
philanthropistsnounUS /fɪˈlænθrəpɪsts/
plural of “philanthropist” — someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
pintnounUS /paɪnt/
a British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 4 gills or 568.26 cubic centimeters
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
refreshmentsnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənts/
plural of “refreshment” — snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
regaledverbUS /rɪˈɡeɪld/
past form of “regale” — provide with choice or abundant food or drink
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading The cheerless monotony was sometimes enlivened with a little innocent merriment.
the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
transientnounUS /ˈtrænʒənt/
one who stays for only a short time
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
twopencenoun
a former United Kingdom silver coin; United Kingdom bronze decimal coin worth two pennies
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
precisely as stated
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The cheerless monotony was sometimes enlivened with a little innocent merriment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
at the time that
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
in or at the place that
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Beano Now and then a transient gleam of sunshine penetrated the gloom in which the lives of the philanthropists were passed.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Every now and then there was a funeral which took Misery and Crass away for the whole afternoon, and although they always tried to keep the dates secret, the men generally knew when they were gone.
belonging to which person
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The cheerless monotony was sometimes enlivened with a little innocent merriment.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading At other places, where the people of the house were not so generously disposed, the servants made up for it, and entertained them in a similar manner without the knowledge of their masters and mistresses.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Sometimes the people in whose houses they were working regaled them with tea, bread and butter, cake or other light refreshments, and occasionally even with beer—very different stuff from the petrifying liquid they bought at the Cricketers for twopence a pint.
