used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
anew
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I cannot raise it up," the old man whined.
coffinnounUS /ˈkɔːfɪn/
box in which a corpse is buried or cremated
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
commander'snounUS /kəˈmændərz/
possessive form of “commander” — an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
commitverbUS /kəˈmɪt/
perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
compliedverbUS /kəmˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “comply” — act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
without stop or interruption
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
desistverbUS /dɪˈsɪst/
choose not to consume
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
diggernounUS /ˈdɪɡər/
a laborer who digs
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
durationnounUS /ˈdʊˈreɪʃən/
the period of time during which something continues
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
Eckhardt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
Gobbo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
death of a person
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I cannot raise it up," the old man whined.
IlnounUS /ɪl/
a midwestern state in north-central United States
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
implacableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈplækəbəl/
incapable of being placated
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
imploringlyadverb
in a beseeching manner
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
immediately past
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "I cannot raise it up," the old man whined.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
a particular point in time
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
oblongadjectiveUS /ˈɑːblɔːŋ/
(of a leaf shape) having a somewhat elongated form with approximately parallel sides
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "I cannot raise it up," the old man whined.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
and nothing more
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
pallornoun
unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
pilingnounUS /ˈpaɪlɪŋ/
a column of wood or steel or concrete that is driven into the ground to provide support for a structure
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
raise the level or amount of something
From this reading "I cannot raise it up," the old man whined.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
reluctantlyadverbUS /rɪˈlʌktəntli/
with reluctance
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
sacrilegenounUS /ˈsækrələdʒ/
blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
shovelnounUS /ˈʃʌvəl/
a hand tool for lifting loose material; consists of a curved container or scoop and a handle
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
without speaking
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
sodnounUS /sɑːd/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
spadenounUS /speɪd/
a playing card in the major suit that has one or more black figures on it
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
propel through the air
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
up to a particular time
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
unimpededadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪmˈpiːdɪd/
not slowed or prevented
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
at the time that
From this reading But when he read only implacable determination in the commander’s face, he again turned to his task and continued to throw up the earth until the coffin stood free and unimpeded in its narrow berth.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
whined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I cannot raise it up," the old man whined.
which person or people
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading The last word was spoken with such menace that the grave digger reluctantly complied, and taking up the spade, which he had dropped, he pushed it slowly into the sod.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Leaning silently on his sword, his face the pallor of death, Eckhardt and his companion watched the progress of the terrible work, watched one shovel of earth after the other fly up, piling up by the side of the grave; watched the oblong opening grow deeper and deeper, till after a breathless pause of some duration the spade of the grave digger was heard to strike the top of the coffin.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Il Gobbo, who all but his head stood now in the grave, looked up imploringly to Eckhardt, hoping that at the last moment he would desist from the terrible sacrilege he was about to commit.
