adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
accomplishmentnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
advantagesnounUS /ædˈvæntɪdʒɪz/
plural of “advantage” — the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/
in the past
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
aimsnounUS /eɪmz/
plural of “aim” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
artistnounUS /ˈɑːrtəst/
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
bandsmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
barrel-organist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
bodiesnounUS /ˈbɑːdiz/
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
bygonenounUS /ˈbaɪɡɔːn/
past events to be put aside
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
CharactersnounUS /ˈkærəktərz/
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
churchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
clergynounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒi/
in Christianity, clergymen collectively (as distinguished from the laity)
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
concernedadjectiveUS /kənˈsɜːrnd/
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
congregationnounUS /ˌkɑːŋɡrəˈɡeɪʃən/
a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
controlnounUS /kənˈtroʊl/
power to direct or determine
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
CrustedadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌstɪd/
having a hardened crust as a covering
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
curtailverbUS /kərˈteɪl/
place restrictions on
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
customsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/
a female human offspring
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
descriptionsnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃənz/
plural of “description” — a statement that represents something in words
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
directverbUS /dərˈekt/
command with authority
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
disappearedverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd/
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
displacementnounUS /dɪˈspleɪsmənt/
act of taking the place of another especially using underhanded tactics
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
doingsnounUS /ˈduːɪŋz/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
doubtnounUS /daʊt/
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
ecclesiasticaladjectiveUS /ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪkəl/
of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church)
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
establishedadjectiveUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃt/
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
executivenounUS /ɪɡˈzekjətɪv/
a person responsible for the administration of a business
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
extinguishverbUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
put an end to; kill
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
fairlyadverbUS /ˈferli/
to certain extent or degree
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
FewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
fiftynounUS /ˈfɪfti/
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
full-grownadjective
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
grown-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
harmoniumnounUS /hɑːrˈmoʊniəm/
a free-reeded instrument with a piano keyboard in which air is forced through the reeds by bellows
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
of great significance or value
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
inclinedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈklaɪnd/
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
installingnounUS /ˌɪnˈstɔːlɪŋ/
the act of installing something (as equipment)
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
instrumentalistsnounUS /ˌɪnstrəˈmentəlɪsts/
plural of “instrumentalist” — someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
intendedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪd/
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
interestsnounUS /ˈɪntrəsts/
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
isolatedadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsəleɪtəd/
not close together in time
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
keenadjectiveUS /kiːn/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
Mellstock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
musicaladjectiveUS /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/
characterized by or capable of producing music
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
musiciansnounUS /mjuːˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “musician” — someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
numerousadjectiveUS /ˈnuːmərəs/
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
held or filled or in use
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
officiallyadverbUS /əˈfɪʃəli/
in an official role
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
officialsnounUS /əˈfɪʃəlz/
plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
orchestraladjectiveUS /ɔːrˈkestrəl/
relating to or composed for an orchestra
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
organistnounUS /ˈɔːrɡənəst/
a person who plays an organ
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
outcomenounUS /ˈaʊtkʌm/
something that results
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
parishionersnounUS /pərˈɪʃənərz/
plural of “parishioner” — a member of a parish
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
parson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
personages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
picturenounUS /ˈpɪktʃər/
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
placesnounUS /ˈpleɪsəz/
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
planverbUS /plæn/
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
playernounUS /ˈpleɪər/
a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
playersnounUS /ˈpleɪərz/
plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
professedadjectiveUS /prəˈfest/
professing to be qualified
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
QuirenounUS /kwaɪr/
a quantity of paper; 24 or 25 sheets
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
regretverbUS /rəˈɡret/
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
resultnounUS /rɪˈzʌlt/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
school-children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
school-teacher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
securedverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrd/
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
similaradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmələr/
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
singersnounUS /ˈsɪŋərz/
plural of “singer” — a person who sings
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
sixtyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪksti/
being ten more than fifty
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
stayingverbUS /ˈsteɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
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 This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
stultifyverbUS /ˈstʌltəfaɪ/
prove to be of unsound mind or demonstrate someone's incompetence
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
SundaynounUS /ˈsʌndeɪ/
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
supplementaryadjectiveUS /ˌsʌpləˈmentəri/
functioning in a supporting capacity
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
tennounUS /ten/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
tendedverbUS /ˈtendɪd/
past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading One is inclined to regret the displacement of these ecclesiastical bandsmen by an isolated organist (often at first a barrel-organist) or harmonium player; and despite certain advantages in point of control and accomplishment which were, no doubt, secured by installing the single artist, the change has tended to stultify the professed aims of the clergy, its direct result being to curtail and extinguish the interest of parishioners in church doings.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
toilsomeadjective
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
TowernounUS /ˈtaʊər/
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/
hard to endure
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
TwonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under the old plan, from half a dozen to ten full-grown players, in addition to the numerous more or less grown-up singers, were officially occupied with the Sunday routine, and concerned in trying their best to make it an artistic outcome of the combined musical taste of the congregation.
unionnounUS /ˈjuːnjən/
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/
plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
waysnounUS /weɪz/
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
weathersnounUS /ˈweðərz/
plural of “weather” — the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
west-gallery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading With a musical executive limited, as it mostly is limited now, to the parson’s wife or daughter and the school-children, or to the school-teacher and the children, an important union of interests has disappeared.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading This story of the Mellstock Quire and its old established west-gallery musicians, with some supplementary descriptions of similar officials in _Two on a Tower, A Few Crusted Characters_, and other places, is intended to be a fairly true picture, at first hand, of the personages, ways, and customs which were common among such orchestral bodies in the villages of fifty or sixty years ago.
zestnounUS /zest/
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
From this reading The zest of these bygone instrumentalists must have been keen and staying to take them, as it did, on foot every Sunday after a toilsome week, through all weathers, to the church, which often lay at a distance from their homes.
