used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
not being in a specified place
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
anew
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
amiableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
betook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
Bretton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
placed in a grave
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
make calm or still
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
conjecturenounUS /kənˈdʒektʃər/
a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
From this reading Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
conjectured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
the act of departing
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
being one more than seven
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
halcyonnounUS /ˈhælsiən/
(Greek mythology) a woman who was turned into a kingfisher
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
kindredadjectiveUS /ˈkɪndrɪd/
similar in quality or character
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
MARCHMONT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MISS MARCHMONT.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading MISS MARCHMONT.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
an old word for “no”
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
not any; not one
From this reading Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
Paulina's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
quittingverbUS /ˈkwɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “quit” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
slumberingverbUS /ˈslʌmbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “slumber” — be asleep
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
steersmannoun
the person who steers a ship
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
not in physical motion
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
uncontradicted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
(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 Well! the amiable conjecture does no harm, and may therefore be safely left uncontradicted.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On quitting Bretton, which I did a few weeks after Paulina’s departure—little thinking then I was never again to visit it; never more to tread its calm old streets—I betook myself home, having been absent six months.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It will be conjectured that I was of course glad to return to the bosom of my kindred.
a late time of life
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Far from saying nay, indeed, I will permit the reader to picture me, for the next eight years, as a bark slumbering through halcyon weather, in a harbour still as glass—the steersman stretched on the little deck, his face up to heaven, his eyes closed: buried, if you will, in a long prayer.
