used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading In vain the Prince rushed to their assistance and strove to undo the cord.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
buryverbUS /ˈberi/
cover from sight
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
cordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a line made of twisted fibers or threads
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
cordsnounUS /kɔːrdz/
cotton trousers made of corduroy cloth
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
embracedverbUS /emˈbreɪst/
past form of “embrace” — include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
gravesnounUS /ɡreɪvz/
English writer known for his interest in mythology and in the classics (1895-1985)
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
grievedverbUS /ɡriːvd/
past form of “grieve” — feel grief
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
the act of retaining something
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
set down according to a plan
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
the force of workers available
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
necksnounUS /neks/
plural of “neck” — the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
not any; not one
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
on one occasion
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
PrincessesnounUS /ˈprɪnsesɪz/
plural of “princess” — a female member of a royal family other than the queen (especially the daughter of a sovereign)
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
done under pressure
From this reading In vain the Prince rushed to their assistance and strove to undo the cord.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
without speaking
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
stickingadjectiveUS /ˈstɪkɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
stroveverbUS /stroʊv/
inflected form of “strive” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading In vain the Prince rushed to their assistance and strove to undo the cord.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
throatsnounUS /θroʊts/
plural of “throat” — the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
undoverbUS /ənˈduː/
cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect
From this reading In vain the Prince rushed to their assistance and strove to undo the cord.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
not known
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their fellows.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading In vain the Prince rushed to their assistance and strove to undo the cord.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to him.
at the time that
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
belonging to which person
From this reading The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading A few steps further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side.
