used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
binnounUS /bɪn/
a container; usually has a lid
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
capsnounUS /kæps/
plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
CartiernounUS /ˈkɑːrtiər/
French explorer who explored the St. Lawrence river and laid claim to the region for France (1491-1557)
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
Casquets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
Colomberie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
a small house with a single story
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
festivalnounUS /ˈfestəvəl/
a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
glowingadjectiveUS /ˈɡloʊɪŋ/
highly enthusiastic
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
plural of “good” — benefit
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
GuernseynounUS /ˈɡɜːrnzi/
a Channel Island to the northwest of Jersey
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
guernseysnounUS /ˈɡɜːrnziz/
plural of “guernsey” — a Channel Island to the northwest of Jersey
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
jerseysnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrziz/
plural of “jersey” — a Mid-Atlantic state on the Atlantic; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
knitverbUS /nɪt/
make (textiles) by knitting
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
knittedadjectiveUS /ˈnɪtəd/
made by intertwining threads in a series of connected loops rather than by weaving
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
LesnounUS /les/
plural of “le” — a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
longue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
the force of workers available
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
sandedverbUS /ˈsændɪd/
past form of “sand” — rub with sandpaper
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
deliver by singing
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
spotlessadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːtləs/
completely neat and clean
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
stacksnounUS /stæks/
a large number or amount
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
stockingsnounUS /ˈstɑːkɪŋz/
plural of “stocking” — close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
plural of “story” — 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 It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
swarmingverbUS /ˈswɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
plural of “tale” — 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 It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
express in words
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
there's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
twenty-firstadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifɜːrst/
coming next after the twentieth in position
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
veille
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
Veilles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
at the time that
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
a Caucasian
From this reading The dark blue of "jerseys" and "guernseys" were an effective background for stacks of white woollen stockings and scarlet caps.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
witchcraftnounUS /ˈwɪtʃkræft/
the art of sorcery
From this reading It was winter, always a time for enjoyment in the days of old Guernsey, when evening after evening, people met together at the _Veilles_, to knit and sing and to tell stories of witchcraft and weird tales of the sea.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Colomberie Farm was glowing with warmth and light, and swarming with company on the evening of the twenty-first of December, for it was the special festival of _longue veille_.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
woollennounUS /ˈwʊlən/
a fabric made from the hair of sheep
From this reading The spotless wooden table in the middle of the sanded floor was piled high with woollen goods of every kind, which had been knitted by men and women at former _veilles_.
but in spite of that
From this reading "My good," said Mrs. Cartier, of Les Casquets Cottage, "there's never yet bin so many things for the Christmas Eve market!
