used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
(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 Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
in addition
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading The answers were unsatisfactory.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
axnounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
birchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
economicadjectiveUS /ˌekəˈnɑːmɪk/
of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
fire-places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
brought together in one place
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
glazedadjectiveUS /ɡleɪzd/
(used of eyes) lacking liveliness
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
inferioritynounUS /ˌɪnfɪriˈɔːrɪtiː/
the state of being inferior
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
Keith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
a narrow way or road
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
living-roomnoun
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
magnificencenoun
splendid or imposing in size or appearance
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
most important element
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
marvelledverbUS /mɑːrˈveld/
inflected form of “marvel” — be amazed at
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
matchingadjectiveUS /ˈmætʃɪŋ/
being two identical
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
the force of workers available
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
on one occasion
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
ovensnounUS /ˈʌvənz/
plural of “oven” — kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
reducingnounUS /rəˈduːsɪŋ/
any process in which electrons are added to an atom or ion (as by removing oxygen or adding hydrogen); always occurs accompanied by oxidation of the reducing agent
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
cut with a saw
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
unsatisfactoryadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsətɪˈsfæktəri/
not giving satisfaction
From this reading The answers were unsatisfactory.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The answers were unsatisfactory.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Keith marvelled at the magnificence of it, and once in a while he asked why it had to be done.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Two men were busy all day with saw and ax, reducing those logs into pieces matching the fire-places in the kitchen stove and the two glazed brick ovens in the living-room and the parlour.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading The fire wood came first--a mighty load of birch logs piled along the house front in the lane.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The main reason was that it had always been done, but he gathered also that, while it was perfectly respectable to live from day to day during the summer, to do so during the winter would be a distinct proof of social and economic inferiority.
