used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am the bee whose wing you healed, and would like to show my gratitude in some way.’
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Can I be of any help to you?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Can I be of any help to you?
beenounUS /biː/
any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
benefactornounUS /ˈbenəfæktər/
a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
boundarynounUS /ˈbaʊn.də.ri/
A line that marks the limits of an area.
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Can I be of any help to you?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
placed crosswise
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
cursedadjectiveUS /kɜːrst/
deserving a curse; sometimes used as an intensifier
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
disconsolatelyadverb
in grief-stricken loneliness; without comforting circumstances or prospects
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
domainnounUS /doʊˈmeɪn/
a particular environment or walk of life
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
the act of escaping physically
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
at any time
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
Ferko
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading I am the bee whose wing you healed, and would like to show my gratitude in some way.’
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
healedadjectiveUS /hiːld/
freed from illness or injury
From this reading I am the bee whose wing you healed, and would like to show my gratitude in some way.’
heart-broken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Can I be of any help to you?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Can I be of any help to you?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
King'snounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading I am the bee whose wing you healed, and would like to show my gratitude in some way.’
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
not any; not one
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
a large and stately mansion
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
the time that has elapsed
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
settlingnounUS /ˈsetəlɪŋ/
a gradual sinking to a lower level
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading I am the bee whose wing you healed, and would like to show my gratitude in some way.’
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I am the bee whose wing you healed, and would like to show my gratitude in some way.’
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
troublingadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəlɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
migratory
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I am the bee whose wing you healed, and would like to show my gratitude in some way.’
used to ask for information about something
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
belonging to which person
From this reading I am the bee whose wing you healed, and would like to show my gratitude in some way.’
wingnounUS /wɪŋ/
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading I am the bee whose wing you healed, and would like to show my gratitude in some way.’
showing curiosity
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, let him be ever such a genius!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I am the bee whose wing you healed, and would like to show my gratitude in some way.’
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor?
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading The poor youth himself was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King’s domain.
