used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SERPENT AT THE FIRESIDE A little more than a year has passed.
how long something has existed
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He must work to sustain it; and always with the secret hope of making little Maria his wife.
Amedee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
Amedee's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
ascendverbUS /əˈsend/
travel up
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A SERPENT AT THE FIRESIDE A little more than a year has passed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
dissipatedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪsəpeɪtɪd/
unrestrained by convention or morality
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
FIRESIDEnounUS /ˈfaɪərsaɪd/
an area near a fireplace (usually paved and extending out into a room)
From this reading A SERPENT AT THE FIRESIDE A little more than a year has passed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
fortificationsnounUS /ˌfɔːrtəfəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “fortification” — defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
fragileadjectiveUS /ˈfrædʒəl/
easily broken or damaged or destroyed
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Amedee's kite is his growing reputation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A SERPENT AT THE FIRESIDE A little more than a year has passed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading He must work to sustain it; and always with the secret hope of making little Maria his wife.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
kitenounUS /kaɪt/
a bank check that has been fraudulently altered to increase its face value
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
limpidadjective
clear and bright
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A SERPENT AT THE FIRESIDE A little more than a year has passed.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
engage in
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He must work to sustain it; and always with the secret hope of making little Maria his wife.
MarianounUS /mərˈiːə/
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading He must work to sustain it; and always with the secret hope of making little Maria his wife.
become covered with mist
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A SERPENT AT THE FIRESIDE A little more than a year has passed.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He must work to sustain it; and always with the secret hope of making little Maria his wife.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A SERPENT AT THE FIRESIDE A little more than a year has passed.
pastedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪstɪd/
affixed or as if affixed with glue or paste
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading Amedee's kite is his growing reputation.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading He must work to sustain it; and always with the secret hope of making little Maria his wife.
SERPENTnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənt/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading A SERPENT AT THE FIRESIDE A little more than a year has passed.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
sticksnounUS /stɪks/
plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
sustainverbUS /səˈsteɪn/
lengthen or extend in duration or space
From this reading He must work to sustain it; and always with the secret hope of making little Maria his wife.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A SERPENT AT THE FIRESIDE A little more than a year has passed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SERPENT AT THE FIRESIDE A little more than a year has passed.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
precisely as stated
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
Violette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
at the time that
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading He must work to sustain it; and always with the secret hope of making little Maria his wife.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He must work to sustain it; and always with the secret hope of making little Maria his wife.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He must work to sustain it; and always with the secret hope of making little Maria his wife.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading A SERPENT AT THE FIRESIDE A little more than a year has passed.
but in spite of that
From this reading But the age for that has passed; Amedee's real kite is more fragile than if it had been made of sticks and pieces of old paper pasted on one over another; it does not ascend very high yet, and the thread that sails it is not very strong.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading It is now the first days of October; and when the morning mist is dissipated, the sky is of so limpid a blue and the air so pure and fresh, that Amedee Violette is almost tempted to make a paper kite and fly it over the fortifications, as he did in his youth.
