used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On a rainy day the dusty army of books peers coaxingly from the shelves.
ahemnoun
the utterance of a sound similar to clearing the throat; intended to get attention, express hesitancy, fill a pause, hide embarrassment, warn a friend, etc.
From this reading The Great Philosophers unbend, the Bearded Classics sigh, the Pontifical Critics of Life murmur "ahem."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading On a rainy day the dusty army of books peers coaxingly from the shelves.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
BeardedadjectiveUS /ˈbɪrdəd/
having hair on the cheeks and chin
From this reading The Great Philosophers unbend, the Bearded Classics sigh, the Pontifical Critics of Life murmur "ahem."
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
ClassicsnounUS /ˈklæsɪks/
study of the literary works of ancient Greece and Rome
From this reading The Great Philosophers unbend, the Bearded Classics sigh, the Pontifical Critics of Life murmur "ahem."
coaxinglyadverb
in a cajoling manner
From this reading On a rainy day the dusty army of books peers coaxingly from the shelves.
Covici-McGee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
cozilyadverb
in a cozy manner
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
CriticsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪks/
plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading The Great Philosophers unbend, the Bearded Classics sigh, the Pontifical Critics of Life murmur "ahem."
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On a rainy day the dusty army of books peers coaxingly from the shelves.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading On a rainy day the dusty army of books peers coaxingly from the shelves.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On a rainy day the dusty army of books peers coaxingly from the shelves.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The Great Philosophers unbend, the Bearded Classics sigh, the Pontifical Critics of Life murmur "ahem."
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The Great Philosophers unbend, the Bearded Classics sigh, the Pontifical Critics of Life murmur "ahem."
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading The Great Philosophers unbend, the Bearded Classics sigh, the Pontifical Critics of Life murmur "ahem."
mythsnounUS /mɪθs/
plural of “myth” — a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a rainy day the dusty army of books peers coaxingly from the shelves.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
peersnounUS /pɪrz/
plural of “peer” — a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
From this reading On a rainy day the dusty army of books peers coaxingly from the shelves.
PhilosophersnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfərz/
plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy
From this reading The Great Philosophers unbend, the Bearded Classics sigh, the Pontifical Critics of Life murmur "ahem."
PontificaladjectiveUS /pɑːnˈtɪfəkəl/
proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope or the papacy regarded as the successor of the Apostles
From this reading The Great Philosophers unbend, the Bearded Classics sigh, the Pontifical Critics of Life murmur "ahem."
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
rainyadjectiveUS /ˈreɪni/
(of weather) wet by periods of rain
From this reading On a rainy day the dusty army of books peers coaxingly from the shelves.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading The Great Philosophers unbend, the Bearded Classics sigh, the Pontifical Critics of Life murmur "ahem."
with low volume
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
stuffedadjectiveUS /stʌft/
filled with something
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
unbendverbUS /ˌʌnˈbend/
straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading The Great Philosophers unbend, the Bearded Classics sigh, the Pontifical Critics of Life murmur "ahem."
vanishverbUS /ˈvænɪʃ/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
warsnounUS /wɔːrz/
plural of “war” — the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Old tales, old myths, old wars, old dreams begin to chatter softly in the shadows--or it may be the chatter of the rain on the pavement outside.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading Inside the Washington Street book store of Covici-McGee the electric lights gleam cozily.
in the company of; together with
From this reading New books and old books--the high shelves stuffed with books vanish in the ceiling shadows.
