used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading RAIN AT LAST On the following day the heat became almost intolerable.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
eagerly desirous
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading RAIN AT LAST On the following day the heat became almost intolerable.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading RAIN AT LAST On the following day the heat became almost intolerable.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
ChapmannounUS /ˈtʃæpmən/
United States pioneer who planted apple trees as he traveled (1774-1845)
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
consolingadjectiveUS /kənˈsoʊlɪŋ/
affording comfort or solace
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
cropnounUS /krɑːp/
the yield from plants in a single growing season
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading RAIN AT LAST On the following day the heat became almost intolerable.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
farmersnounUS /ˈfɑːrmərz/
plural of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading RAIN AT LAST On the following day the heat became almost intolerable.
fretfullyadverb
in a fretful manner
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
gaspnounUS /ɡæsp/
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
grumbledverbUS /ˈɡrʌmbəld/
past form of “grumble” — show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
harvestnounUS /ˈhɑːrvəst/
the yield from plants in a single growing season
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
haynounUS /heɪ/
grass mowed and cured for use as fodder
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading RAIN AT LAST On the following day the heat became almost intolerable.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
infantnounUS /ˈɪnfənt/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading RAIN AT LAST On the following day the heat became almost intolerable.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
immediately past
From this reading RAIN AT LAST On the following day the heat became almost intolerable.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
used to form the superlative
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading RAIN AT LAST On the following day the heat became almost intolerable.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading RAIN AT LAST On the following day the heat became almost intolerable.
refreshverbUS /rɪˈfreʃ/
refresh one's memory
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
rockingverbUS /ˈrɑːkɪŋ/
-ing form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
sprungverbUS /sprʌŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RAIN AT LAST On the following day the heat became almost intolerable.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
very small
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
male cat
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The farmers had given up any further hope of a hay crop, and had begun to feel anxious about the harvest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
at the time that
From this reading When night fell the tiny cool breeze that had sprung up most evenings to refresh the earth a little was absent--a dead weight was over everything.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Chapman children were unusually restless, and Tom, tired with his work, grumbled fretfully as his wife moved about, first consoling one child and then the other, and rocking the restless infant to and fro.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading People went about their work, and got through it somehow, but everything in nature appeared to be at its last gasp.
