used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is quite a month later.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
cambricnoun
a finely woven white linen
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
carnationsnounUS /kɑːrˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “carnation” — Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
expireverbUS /ɪkˈspaɪr/
lose validity
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
frocknounUS /frɑːk/
a long, loose outer garment
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
gathersnounUS /ˈɡæðərz/
plural of “gather” — sewing consisting of small folds or puckers made by pulling tight a thread in a line of stitching
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
hollyhocksnounUS /ˈhɑːlihɑːks/
plural of “hollyhock” — any of various plants of the genus Althaea; similar to but having smaller flowers than genus Alcea
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is quite a month later.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
languidadjectiveUS /ˈlæŋɡwəd/
lacking spirit or liveliness
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It is quite a month later.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
roused to anger
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading It is quite a month later.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
used to form the superlative
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
in motion
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
nighadjectiveUS /naɪ/
not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
not any; not one
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
overpoweringadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərˈpaʊrɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
perfumenounUS /pərˈfjuːm/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
Perpetua
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It is quite a month later.
reigningadjectiveUS /ˈreɪnɪŋ/
exercising power or authority
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
move upward
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
stiflingnounUS /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
sunsnounUS /sʌnz/
plural of “sun” — the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
up to a particular time
From this reading 'Till the secret be secret no more In the light of one hour as it flies, Be the hour as of suns that expire Or suns that rise.'
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The air is stifling; up from the warm earth comes the almost overpowering perfume of the late flowers.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
a Caucasian
From this reading Perpetua moving amongst the carnations and hollyhocks in her soft white cambric frock, gathers a few of the former in a languid manner to place in the bosom of her frock.
in the company of; together with
From this reading August, hot and sunny, is reigning with quite a mad merriment, making the most of the days that be, knowing full well that the end of the summer is nigh.
