used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
aboundedverbUS /əˈbaʊndɪd/
past form of “abound” — be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
(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 The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
arm-in-arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
chestnutadjectiveUS /ˈtʃesnʌt/
(of hair or feathers) of a golden brown to reddish brown color
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
curlingnounUS /ˈkɜːrlɪŋ/
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
curvesnounUS /kɜːrvz/
plural of “curve” — the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
dark-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
divisible by two
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
excitedlyadverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪtədli/
with excitement; in an excited manner
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
good-humoredadjective
disposed to please
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
hay-field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
invariableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbəl/
not liable to or capable of change
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
and nothing more
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
immediately past
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
petalsnounUS /ˈpetəlz/
plural of “petal” — part of the perianth that is usually brightly colored
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
profusionnounUS /prəˈfjuːʒən/
the property of being extremely abundant
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
rectorynounUS /ˈrektəri/
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
replyingverbUS /rɪˈplaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
showeringverbUS /ˈʃaʊərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shower” — expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
smilesnounUS /smaɪlz/
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
stand-still
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
tennis-court
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
untidilyadverb
in a messy, untidy manner
From this reading The garden was large, somewhat untidily kept, but it abounded in all sweet old-fashioned flowers; there was the invariable tennis-court, empty just now, and a sweet sound of children laughing and playing together, in a hay-field near by.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading The roses were showering their petals all over the grass, and two girls, sisters evidently, were pacing up the broad walk in the centre of the garden arm-in-arm.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The time was July, and the roses were out in great profusion in the rectory garden.
at the time that
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading They were talking eagerly and excitedly one to the other, not taking the smallest notice of the scene around them--not even replying when some children in the hay-field shouted their names, but coming at last to a full stand-still before the open window of the old-fashioned rectory study.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were dark-eyed girls, with chestnut, curling hair, rosy lips full of curves and smiles, and round, good-humored faces.
