used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Now the steeple of the old church loomed weirdly against the dark background of the sky and then vanished.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading Now the steeple of the old church loomed weirdly against the dark background of the sky and then vanished.
barkedverbUS /bɑːrkt/
past form of “bark” — speak in an unfriendly tone
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Now the steeple of the old church loomed weirdly against the dark background of the sky and then vanished.
churchyardnounUS /ˈtʃɜːrtʃjɑːrd/
the yard associated with a church
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
ConstancenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəns/
a lake in southeastern Germany on the northern side of the Swiss Alps; forms part of the Rhine River
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
having the place or position changed
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
FERRYverbUS /ˈferi/
transport from one place to another
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
furiouslyadverbUS /ˈfjʊriəsli/
(of the elements) in a wild and stormy manner
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
gaitnounUS /ɡeɪt/
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
gallopedverbUS /ˈɡæləpt/
past form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
ghostlikeadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊstlaɪk/
resembling or characteristic of a phantom
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
graveyardnounUS /ˈɡreɪvjɑːrd/
a tract of land used for burials
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
immaterialadjectiveUS /ˌɪməˈtɪriəl/
of no importance or relevance especially to a law case
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
indistinctlyadverb
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
full of life and energy
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
loomedverbUS /luːmd/
past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading Now the steeple of the old church loomed weirdly against the dark background of the sky and then vanished.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now the steeple of the old church loomed weirdly against the dark background of the sky and then vanished.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Now the steeple of the old church loomed weirdly against the dark background of the sky and then vanished.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
outlinedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/
showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
phantomnounUS /ˈfæn.təm/
A ghost or apparition; a figment of the imagination or a hidden dweller.
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
with speed
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
Saint-Prosper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/
plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Now the steeple of the old church loomed weirdly against the dark background of the sky and then vanished.
slabsnounUS /slæbz/
plural of “slab” — block consisting of a thick piece of something
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
sodnounUS /sɑːd/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
steeplenounUS /ˈstiːpəl/
a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top
From this reading Now the steeple of the old church loomed weirdly against the dark background of the sky and then vanished.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now the steeple of the old church loomed weirdly against the dark background of the sky and then vanished.
in or at that place or location
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
thoroughfarenounUS /ˈθɜːroʊfer/
a public road from one place to another
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading THE HAND FERRY At a lively gait down the road toward the river galloped the horse bearing Saint-Prosper and Constance.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading At one place a dog ran out to the front gate, disturbed by the unusual noise on the road, and barked furiously, but they moved rapidly on.
having passed out of existence
From this reading Now the steeple of the old church loomed weirdly against the dark background of the sky and then vanished.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
weirdlyadverbUS /ˈwɪrdli/
in a weird manner
From this reading Now the steeple of the old church loomed weirdly against the dark background of the sky and then vanished.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The thoroughfare was deserted and the dwelling houses as well as the principal buildings of the town were absolutely dark.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On; on, they went, past the churchyard, with its marble slabs indistinctly outlined in the darkness, like a phantom graveyard, as immaterial and ghostlike itself as the spirits of the earliest settlers at rest there beneath the sod.
