used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But, alas! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading But, alas! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, alas! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading These words were read by one of the genii, who repeated them to his master.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
dwellverbUS /dwel/
think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
the boundary of a surface
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
at any time
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
fountainnounUS /ˈfaʊntən/
a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
genii
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These words were read by one of the genii, who repeated them to his master.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading These words were read by one of the genii, who repeated them to his master.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading But, alas! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
immediately past
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/
past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time
From this reading But, alas! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading But, alas! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading These words were read by one of the genii, who repeated them to his master.
come together
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
minglingnounUS /ˈmɪŋɡəlɪŋ/
the action of people mingling and coming into contact
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
not any; not one
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But, alas! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
on one occasion
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading These words were read by one of the genii, who repeated them to his master.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
recurring again and again
From this reading These words were read by one of the genii, who repeated them to his master.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading But, alas! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time.
be seated
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
express in speech
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These words were read by one of the genii, who repeated them to his master.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But, alas! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading The Princess, having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the edge of a fountain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
which person or people
From this reading These words were read by one of the genii, who repeated them to his master.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
the words that are spoken
From this reading These words were read by one of the genii, who repeated them to his master.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading No one can speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might once more meet.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with its waters.’
