used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
a-dream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
accostedverbUS /əˈkɑːstɪd/
past form of “accost” — speak to someone
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
attestverbUS /əˈtest/
provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
creased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
placed crosswise
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
damenounUS /deɪm/
informal terms for a (young) woman
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
dreamilyadverb
in a dreamy manner
From this reading The young man turned toward her, smiling half dreamily.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
grimed-in
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The young man turned toward her, smiling half dreamily.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
infirmitynounUS /ɪnˈfɜːrmɪti/
the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
staying power
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
muscularadjectiveUS /ˈmʌskjələr/
of or relating to or consisting of muscle
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
not divisible by two
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
offersnounUS /ˈɔːfərz/
plural of “offer” — the verbal act of offering
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
and nothing more
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
outstretchedadjectiveUS /aʊtˈstretʃt/
fully extended especially in length
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading The young man turned toward her, smiling half dreamily.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
in or at or to some place
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
sprightlinessnoun
animation and energy in action or expression
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
having a supporting base
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The young man turned toward her, smiling half dreamily.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The young man turned toward her, smiling half dreamily.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
which person or people
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading His gray eyes seemed now half a-dream, his wide mouth fixed itself in pleasant lines, so that he seemed far away, somewhere in the lands to which music offers access.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was a tall man, as his outstretched legs, one crossed over the other, would attest; a man well developed, muscular and powerful.
wrinkledadjectiveUS /ˈrɪŋkəld/
marked by wrinkles
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
a late time of life
From this reading The old woman who spoke—a wrinkled dame she was, bowed down by years and infirmity, her face creased by a thousand grimed-in, wrinkled lines—moved with an odd sprightliness as she stepped across the floor.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading She placed a hand upon the shoulder of the young man whom she accosted, standing between him and the door of the little cabin of which they were the only occupants.
