used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
how long something has existed
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
archesnounUS /ˈɑːrtʃəz/
plural of “arch” — a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading A covered walk, with stone arches, inclosed a square filled with dusky shrubbery.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
boughsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
bunchnounUS /bʌntʃ/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
make calm or still
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
Capuchinnoun
a hooded cloak for women
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
contractionsnounUS /kənˈtrækʃənz/
plural of “contraction” — (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
conventnounUS /ˈkɑːnvənt/
a religious residence especially for nuns
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
convulsionsnounUS /kənˈvʌlʃənz/
plural of “convulsion” — a sudden uncontrollable attack
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
courtsnounUS /kɔːrts/
plural of “court” — an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading A covered walk, with stone arches, inclosed a square filled with dusky shrubbery.
crevicesnounUS /ˈkrevəsɪz/
plural of “crevice” — a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
cypresses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
deadenedadjective
devoid of physical sensation; numb
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
decayingverbUS /dɪˈkeɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “decay” — lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading A covered walk, with stone arches, inclosed a square filled with dusky shrubbery.
divisible by two
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading A covered walk, with stone arches, inclosed a square filled with dusky shrubbery.
fleckedadjective
having a pattern of dots
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
foldsnounUS /foʊldz/
plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
funerealadjective
suited to or suggestive of a grave or burial
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
gnarledadjectiveUS /nɑːrld/
used of old persons or old trees; covered with knobs or knots
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
coins made of gold
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
gold-blooming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
growthnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(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 There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
hardily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
inclosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A covered walk, with stone arches, inclosed a square filled with dusky shrubbery.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
knottedadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːtɪd/
tied with a knot
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
lichennounUS /ˈlaɪkən/
any of several eruptive skin diseases characterized by hard thick lesions grouped together and resembling lichens growing on rocks
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
MONK'SnounUS /mʌŋks/
possessive form of “monk” — a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
olivesnounUS /ˈɑːlɪvz/
plural of “olive” — small ovoid fruit of the European olive tree; important food and source of oil
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
orangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
profusionnounUS /prəˈfjuːʒən/
the property of being extremely abundant
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
reddishadjectiveUS /ˈredɪʃ/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
scraggyadjective
being very thin
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
serpentnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənt/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
shrubberynounUS /ˈʃrʌbəri/
an area where a number of shrubs are planted
From this reading A covered walk, with stone arches, inclosed a square filled with dusky shrubbery.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
spasmodicadjectiveUS /spæzˈmɔːdɪk/
affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
spotsnounUS /spɑːts/
spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
the season of growth
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
make square
From this reading A covered walk, with stone arches, inclosed a square filled with dusky shrubbery.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading A covered walk, with stone arches, inclosed a square filled with dusky shrubbery.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
the rays of the sun
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
tuftsnounUS /tʌfts/
plural of “tuft” — a bunch of hair or feathers or growing grass
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
unnaturaladjectiveUS /ənˈnætʃərəl/
not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading A covered walk, with stone arches, inclosed a square filled with dusky shrubbery.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MONK'S STRUGGLE The golden sunshine of the spring morning was deadened to a sombre tone in the shadowy courts of the Capuchin convent.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
belonging to which person
From this reading There were tall, funereal cypresses, whose immense height and scraggy profusion of decaying branches showed their extreme old age.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The reddish brown of the walls was flecked with gold and orange spots of lichen; and here and there, in crevices, tufts of grass, or even a little bunch of gold-blooming flowers, looked hardily forth into the shadowy air.
wreathed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were gaunt, gnarled olives, with trunks twisted in immense serpent folds, and boughs wreathed and knotted into wild, unnatural contractions, as if their growth had been a series of spasmodic convulsions, instead of a calm and gentle development of Nature.
