used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
(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 And the license bureau was not open all night, as it should have been.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
bondsnounUS /bɑːndz/
plural of “bond” — an electrical force linking atoms
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
bureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading And the license bureau was not open all night, as it should have been.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
civiladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
CouplesnounUS /ˈkʌpəlz/
plural of “couple” — a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The preachers of that day slept light, in order to save the reputations of foolish virgins.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading The preachers of that day slept light, in order to save the reputations of foolish virgins.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
greedyadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːdi/
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And the license bureau was not open all night, as it should have been.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
a sacred place of pilgrimage
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
idyllicadjectiveUS /aɪˈdɪlɪk/
excellent and delightful in all respects
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
impertinentadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrtənənt/
characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
indissolubleadjective
(of a substance) incapable of being dissolved
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
immediately past
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
licensenounUS /ˈlaɪsəns/
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The preachers of that day slept light, in order to save the reputations of foolish virgins.
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 Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
joined in matrimony
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
matrimonynounUS /ˈmætrəmoʊni/
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading And the license bureau was not open all night, as it should have been.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And the license bureau was not open all night, as it should have been.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
officiateverbUS /əˈfɪʃieɪt/
act in an official capacity in a ceremony or religious ritual, such as a wedding
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading And the license bureau was not open all night, as it should have been.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The preachers of that day slept light, in order to save the reputations of foolish virgins.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
preachernounUS /ˈpriːtʃər/
someone whose occupation is preaching the gospel
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
preachersnounUS /ˈpriːtʃərz/
plural of “preacher” — someone whose occupation is preaching the gospel
From this reading The preachers of that day slept light, in order to save the reputations of foolish virgins.
reputationsnounUS /ˌrepjəˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “reputation” — the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading The preachers of that day slept light, in order to save the reputations of foolish virgins.
resortsnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrts/
plural of “resort” — a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
romanticadjectiveUS /roʊˈmæntɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
sacrilegiouslyadverb
in a sacrilegious manner
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
except for; apart from
From this reading The preachers of that day slept light, in order to save the reputations of foolish virgins.
seasidenounUS /ˈsiːsaɪd/
the shore of a sea or ocean regarded as a resort
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading And the license bureau was not open all night, as it should have been.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading The preachers of that day slept light, in order to save the reputations of foolish virgins.
spooned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading But now a greedy and impertinent civil government had stepped in and sacrilegiously insisted on having a license bought and paid for before the Church could officiate.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The preachers of that day slept light, in order to save the reputations of foolish virgins.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
create by training and teaching
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
unitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
unmarriedadjectiveUS /ənˈmerid/
not married or related to the unmarried state
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
virginsnounUS /ˈvɜːrdʒənz/
plural of “virgin” — a person who has never had sex
From this reading The preachers of that day slept light, in order to save the reputations of foolish virgins.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And the license bureau was not open all night, as it should have been.
which person or people
From this reading Couples who spooned too long at seaside resorts and missed the last train home could wake up a preacher and be united in indissoluble bonds of holy matrimony for two dollars.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading In the good old idyllic days it had been possible for romantic youth to get married as easily as to get dinner--and as hard to get unmarried as to get wings.
