used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
(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 Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
in addition
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
brown-stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
coalsnounUS /koʊlz/
plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
creditedadjectiveUS /ˈkredətəd/
(usually followed by “to”) given credit for
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
one or the other of two
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
enlightenedadjectiveUS /ˌenˈlaɪtənd/
having knowledge and spiritual insight
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
divisible by two
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
enclose with a fence
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
start firing a weapon
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
glowedverbUS /ɡloʊd/
past form of “glow” — emit a steady even light without flames
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
provided with artificial light
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
not any; not one
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
picketnounUS /ˈpɪkɪt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
having a point
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
PumpkinnounUS /ˈpʌmpkɪn/
a coarse vine widely cultivated for its large pulpy round orange fruit with firm orange skin and numerous seeds; subspecies of Cucurbita pepo include the summer squashes and a few autumn squashes
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
rowsnounUS /roʊz/
plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
rumournounUS /ˈruːmər/
gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
shinyadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪni/
reflecting light
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Indeed there was a rumour to that effect amongst the common people, but that was all nonsense, of course; no one of the more enlightened class credited it for an instant.
two-story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
uninterestingadjectiveUS /əˈnɪntrəstɪŋ/
arousing no interest or attention or curiosity or excitement
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
precisely as stated
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
a Caucasian
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant lived in a castle, as a matter of course; it is not fashionable for a giant to live in any other kind of a dwelling--why, nothing would be more tame and uninteresting than a giant in a two-story white house with green blinds and a picket fence, or even a brown-stone front, if he could get into either of them, which he could not.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading His mouth, which stretched half around his head, was furnished with rows of pointed teeth, and he was never known to hold it any other way than wide open.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The Pumpkin Giant had a very large, yellow head, which was also smooth and shiny.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading His eyes were big and round, and glowed like coals of fire; and you would almost have thought that his head was lit up inside with candles.
