used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TOUCH OF NATURE.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
alders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
(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 There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
assumingadjectiveUS /əˈsuːmɪŋ/
excessively forward
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
awakeningnounUS /əˈweɪkənɪŋ/
the act of waking
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
beesnounUS /biːz/
plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading Wild bees were out foraging.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading The trees had that dreamy purplish tint of springtime, and waved their leafless branches with wooing softness.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
brilliancenounUS /ˈbrɪljəns/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
catkinsnounUS /ˈkætkənz/
plural of “catkin” — a cylindrical spikelike inflorescence
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
deadnessnoun
the quality of being unresponsive; not reacting; as a quality of people, it is marked by a failure to respond quickly or with emotion to people or events
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/
past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
dreamyadjectiveUS /ˈdriːmi/
dreamy in mood or nature
From this reading The trees had that dreamy purplish tint of springtime, and waved their leafless branches with wooing softness.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
foragingnounUS /ˈfɔːrɪdʒɪŋ/
the act of searching for food and provisions
From this reading Wild bees were out foraging.
furzy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
grainnounUS /ɡreɪn/
a relatively small granular particle of a substance
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
hazyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪzi/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
leaflessadjectiveUS /ˈliːfləs/
having no leaves
From this reading The trees had that dreamy purplish tint of springtime, and waved their leafless branches with wooing softness.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
maplesnounUS /ˈmeɪpəlz/
plural of “maple” — wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading A TOUCH OF NATURE.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A TOUCH OF NATURE.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Wild bees were out foraging.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
purplishadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrplɪʃ/
of a color intermediate between red and blue
From this reading The trees had that dreamy purplish tint of springtime, and waved their leafless branches with wooing softness.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
softnessnounUS /ˈsɔːftnəs/
the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
the season of growth
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
springtimenounUS /ˈsprɪŋtaɪm/
the season of growth
From this reading The trees had that dreamy purplish tint of springtime, and waved their leafless branches with wooing softness.
suggestiveadjectiveUS /səˈdʒestɪv/
tending to suggest or imply
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
swelledadjectiveUS /sweld/
feeling self-importance
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The trees had that dreamy purplish tint of springtime, and waved their leafless branches with wooing softness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The trees had that dreamy purplish tint of springtime, and waved their leafless branches with wooing softness.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
tintnounUS /tɪnt/
a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color
From this reading The trees had that dreamy purplish tint of springtime, and waved their leafless branches with wooing softness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading A TOUCH OF NATURE.
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 The trees had that dreamy purplish tint of springtime, and waved their leafless branches with wooing softness.
tuftsnounUS /tʌfts/
plural of “tuft” — a bunch of hair or feathers or growing grass
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading The trees had that dreamy purplish tint of springtime, and waved their leafless branches with wooing softness.
welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/
past form of “welcome” — accept gladly
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Wild bees were out foraging.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Wild bees were out foraging.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The catkins of the alders had swelled to bursting, the maples were showing red, tufts of grass were assuming the peculiar hazy, suggestive green through the furzy deadness of winter, while here and there a field of grain displayed the brilliance of a velvet carpet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There had been a breath of spring in the air for a day or two, and all nature welcomed the softness, with the numerous sounds of awakening life.
wooingnounUS /ˈwuːɪŋ/
a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)
From this reading The trees had that dreamy purplish tint of springtime, and waved their leafless branches with wooing softness.
