used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
anew
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
how long something has existed
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading The dominant tone of Sir John Meredith's existence had been the high clear note of battle.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The dominant tone of Sir John Meredith's existence had been the high clear note of battle.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
clangnounUS /klæŋ/
a loud resonant repeating noise
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The dominant tone of Sir John Meredith's existence had been the high clear note of battle.
dominantadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːmənənt/
exercising influence or control
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
dominatesverbUS /ˈdɑːməneɪts/
third-person singular of “dominate” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading The dominant tone of Sir John Meredith's existence had been the high clear note of battle.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
set up or found
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
gentleradjectiveUS /ˈdʒentlər/
comparative of “gentle” — soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The dominant tone of Sir John Meredith's existence had been the high clear note of battle.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The dominant tone of Sir John Meredith's existence had been the high clear note of battle.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The dominant tone of Sir John Meredith's existence had been the high clear note of battle.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
lion'snounUS /ˈlaɪənz/
possessive form of “lion” — large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
manhoodnounUS /ˈmænhʊd/
the state of being a man; manly qualities
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
men'snounUS /menz/
a public toilet for men
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
Meredith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dominant tone of Sir John Meredith's existence had been the high clear note of battle.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
a brief written record
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
operanounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
perihelionnoun
periapsis in solar orbit; the point in the orbit of a planet or comet where it is nearest to the sun
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
periodsnounUS /ˈpɪriədz/
plural of “period” — an amount of time
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
rhythmnounUS /ˈrɪðəm/
the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
runsnounUS /rʌnz/
plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
term of address for a man
From this reading The dominant tone of Sir John Meredith's existence had been the high clear note of battle.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
not in physical motion
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
precisely as stated
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had always found something or some one to fight from the very beginning, and now, in his old age, he was fighting still.
whelpnoun
young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading But it is always there, and whether soft in the gentler periods, or strong amidst the noise and clang of the perihelion, it dominates always and gives its tone to the whole life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading As through an opera runs the rhythm of one dominant air, so through men's lives there rings a dominant note, soft in youth, strong in manhood, and soft again in old age.
