used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
(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 Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
BOWMENnounUS /ˈboʊmən/
plural of “bowman” — a person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was lying in a little glade, wood-surrounded on three sides, but open to the southward.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
filteringverbUS /ˈfɪltərɪŋ/
-ing form of “filter” — remove by passing through a filter
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
furryadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːri/
covered with a dense coat of fine silky hairs
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
gladenounUS /ɡleɪd/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading I was lying in a little glade, wood-surrounded on three sides, but open to the southward.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
hookedadjectiveUS /hʊkt/
curved down like an eagle's beak
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was lying in a little glade, wood-surrounded on three sides, but open to the southward.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
lappingnounUS /ˈlæpɪŋ/
covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another (as with tiles or shingles)
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I was lying in a little glade, wood-surrounded on three sides, but open to the southward.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading I was lying in a little glade, wood-surrounded on three sides, but open to the southward.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
nostrilsnounUS /ˈnɑːstrəlz/
plural of “nostril” — either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I was lying in a little glade, wood-surrounded on three sides, but open to the southward.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading I was lying in a little glade, wood-surrounded on three sides, but open to the southward.
perfumenounUS /pərˈfjuːm/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
plumagenounUS /ˈpluːmədʒ/
the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
proneadjectiveUS /proʊn/
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I was lying in a little glade, wood-surrounded on three sides, but open to the southward.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
southwardadverbUS /ˈsaʊθwərd/
toward the south
From this reading I was lying in a little glade, wood-surrounded on three sides, but open to the southward.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
squallingadjective
characterized by short periods of noisy commotion
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
the rays of the sun
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading I was lying in a little glade, wood-surrounded on three sides, but open to the southward.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
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 BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
unfamiliaradjectiveUS /ˌʌnfəˈmɪljər/
not known or well known
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
unobscured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BOWMEN The sunlight was filtering down upon me through the broad foliage of a tree of an unfamiliar kind.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading The rank perfume of strange flowers was in my nostrils, and to my ears came a pleasant, distant sound, the softened roar and lapping of waves upon a beach.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Through the space thus unobscured I could see a blue expanse of sky but nothing more, prone as I was upon the turf, my head resting on what was soft and furry, the folded skin of some wild animal.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Birds with hooked bills, brilliant plumage, and squalling voices were flitting among the branches all about.
wood-surrounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying in a little glade, wood-surrounded on three sides, but open to the southward.
