used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
(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 In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was an object of curiosity and conjecture.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
earlier than; in front of
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
brought into existence
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
Brennan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
Byrne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
clothing in general
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
conjecturenounUS /kənˈdʒektʃər/
a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
From this reading He was an object of curiosity and conjecture.
continualadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəl/
recurring regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading He was an object of curiosity and conjecture.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
a boy or man
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
fine-lookingadjective
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
foregatherverb
collect in one place
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
a long fixed look
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
the act of departing
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was an object of curiosity and conjecture.
he'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
hedgesnounUS /ˈhedʒɪz/
plural of “hedge” — a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
leeringadjective
showing sly or knowing malice in a glance
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
the force of workers available
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading He was an object of curiosity and conjecture.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
possession of controlling influence
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
prophetsnounUS /ˈprɑːfəts/
the second of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
express in words
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
squintverbUS /skwɪnt/
cross one's eyes as if in strabismus
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading There arose a continual coming and going of John Brennan to and from the house of his mother through the valley.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was an object of curiosity and conjecture.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
at the time that
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The windows would squint at him as he went past through power of the leering faces behind; men working in the fields would run to the hedges and gaze after him as he went far down the road.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'Tis a pity of him, when you come to think of it, for it isn't his fault, happening as it did before he was born."
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading In the evenings black prophets would foregather and say: "Now isn't he the fine-looking young fellow indeed, with the grand black clothes upon him; but he'll never be a priest, and that's as sure as you're there, for his mother is Nan Byrne, and she was a bad woman, God help us all!
