used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
(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 On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
bloomingnounUS /ˈbluːmɪŋ/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
boughnounUS /baʊ/
any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
brighteradjectiveUS /ˈbraɪtər/
comparative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
caroled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
clustersnounUS /ˈklʌstərz/
plural of “cluster” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
put on clothes
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
fragrantadjectiveUS /ˈfreɪɡrənt/
pleasant-smelling
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
hazenounUS /heɪz/
atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
heaven-taught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
Holme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
hyacinthsnounUS /ˈhaɪəsɪnθs/
plural of “hyacinth” — a red transparent variety of zircon used as a gemstone
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
hear with intention
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
maplenounUS /ˈmeɪpəl/
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 great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
the force of workers available
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
subject to death
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
nestledadjectiveUS /ˈnesəld/
drawn or pressed close to someone or something for or as if for affection or protection
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
not any; not one
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
ripplenounUS /ˈrɪpəl/
a small wave on the surface of a liquid
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
shadyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdi/
quiet, dark, or concealed
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
shapelyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪpli/
having a well-proportioned and pleasing shape
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
shineverbUS /ʃaɪn/
be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
spreadingnounUS /ˈspredɪŋ/
process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
summertimenounUS /ˈsʌmərtaɪm/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
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 On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
the rays of the sun
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TRAGEDY.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
in or at that place or location
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading THE TRAGEDY.
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 great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
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 Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
precisely as stated
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
violetsnounUS /ˈvaɪələts/
plural of “violet” — any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Holme Woods looked very beautiful in their summer dress; great sheets of blue hyacinths spread far and wide, fragrant clusters of violets nestled against the roots of the trees, birds caroled in the shady branches.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The great bough of a spreading maple tree was swaying to and fro in the summer wind, a shapely bough covered with green leaves.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading For it was summertime, and the flowers were blooming; the earth was fair and smiling, the sky blue; there was a hush in the green woods and a ripple on the waters, a golden haze in the air.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading On it sat a little bird, swaying with the branch, singing as though the world were all summer and sunshine and there was no winter to follow--singing of brighter suns than men see shine, heaven-taught music, not understood by mortal ears, while the golden, fragrant air around seemed to grow silent and listen.
