Chapter V · Chapter 5

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

anew

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "What troops are those?"

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading I asked somewhat hazily, for I was still on the borderland of dreams.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "They are the Maryland Line marching away to the North to join General Washington."

inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

district consisting of the area on either side of a border or boundary of a country or an area

From this reading I asked somewhat hazily, for I was still on the borderland of dreams.

a region marking a boundary

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

decorative cover for a bed

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

plural of “drum” — a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

a small high-pitched flute similar to a piccolo; has a shrill tone and is used chiefly to accompany drums in a marching band

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading "They are the Maryland Line marching away to the North to join General Washington."

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

through a haze

From this reading I asked somewhat hazily, for I was still on the borderland of dreams.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading "They are the Maryland Line marching away to the North to join General Washington."

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading "They are the Maryland Line marching away to the North to join General Washington."

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading "They are the Maryland Line marching away to the North to join General Washington."

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the force of workers available

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading "They are the Maryland Line marching away to the North to join General Washington."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

make short successive sounds

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading I asked somewhat hazily, for I was still on the borderland of dreams.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

make steady

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

not in physical motion

From this reading I asked somewhat hazily, for I was still on the borderland of dreams.

exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading "What troops are those?"

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.

soldiers collectively

From this reading "What troops are those?"

up to a particular time

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A TALE IS TOLD I lay there at the inn, I do not know how long, but they told me afterward it was for many days, hanging on the brink between life and death, until one day I heard in my dreams the music of the fife and the rattle of the drums, and awoke to life and hope again.

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading "They are the Maryland Line marching away to the North to join General Washington."

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What troops are those?"

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading The sunlight was streaming through the south window across the counterpane of the bed, and outside could be heard the steady tread of marching men.