used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
admiredadjectiveUS /ədˈmaɪərd/
regarded with admiration
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
axnounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Joe stood a moment thinking what a fine, big creature it was.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Joe stood a moment thinking what a fine, big creature it was.
curvesnounUS /kɜːrvz/
plural of “curve” — the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
dexteritynounUS /dekˈsterəti/
adroitness in using the hands
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
move gently or carefully
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Joe stood a moment thinking what a fine, big creature it was.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
an established custom
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
humblyadverbUS /ˈhʌmbli/
in a humble manner
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Joe stood a moment thinking what a fine, big creature it was.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
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 He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
a particular point in time
From this reading Joe stood a moment thinking what a fine, big creature it was.
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
not one, and not any
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
on one occasion
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
cut with a saw
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
simplicitynounUS /sɪmˈplɪsəti/
the quality of being simple or uncompounded
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
not in physical motion
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Joe stood a moment thinking what a fine, big creature it was.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Joe stood a moment thinking what a fine, big creature it was.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
unkindlyadjective
lacking in sympathy and kindness
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
(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 Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Joe stood a moment thinking what a fine, big creature it was.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He admired the physical power and the dexterity of this gaunt being, to whom unkindly time had left none of the fair curves of her sex.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One foot was on a log, and, as she struck, she swung the ax with the ease of habit and of strength.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
wood-pile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe went home, and, as he approached, saw the woman, his wife, at the wood-pile.
a late time of life
From this reading Once he had humbly wondered why the tall and still handsome Susan had given herself to him; but for years he had too well known her motives, and slowly, by degrees, there had been revealed to his simplicity the true nature of the wife he had taken.
