used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading HOW TO TAKE BAD TIDINGS.
beaknounUS /biːk/
beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
cleaningnounUS /ˈkliːnɪŋ/
the act of making something clean
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
clusteredadjectiveUS /ˈklʌstərd/
growing close together but not in dense mats
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
cock-robin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
evensongnoun
the sixth of the seven canonical hours of the divine office; early evening; now often made a public service on Sundays
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
a social unit living together
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
feedingnounUS /ˈfiːdɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
flapverbUS /flæp/
move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
hedge-rows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
hopverbUS /hɑːp/
jump lightly
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW TO TAKE BAD TIDINGS.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
a narrow way or road
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
Lovejoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
Mabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
Maidstone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
mouldverbUS /moʊld/
form in clay, wax, etc
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
nightingalenounUS /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/
European songbird noted for its melodious nocturnal song
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
polenounUS /poʊl/
a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
riotnounUS /ˈraɪət/
a public act of violence by an unruly mob
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
roostverbUS /ruːst/
sit, as on a branch
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
songsternoun
a composer of words or music for popular songs
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
tailsnounUS /teɪlz/
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
carry out
From this reading HOW TO TAKE BAD TIDINGS.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
thrushnounUS /θrʌʃ/
candidiasis of the oral cavity; seen mostly in infants or debilitated adults
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
TIDINGSnounUS /ˈtaɪdɪŋz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading HOW TO TAKE BAD TIDINGS.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW TO TAKE BAD TIDINGS.
the upper part of anything
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
in the direction of
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
Traveller's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
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 The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
twinkledverbUS /ˈtwɪŋkəld/
past form of “twinkle” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
waningnounUS /ˈweɪnɪŋ/
a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After sunset, Mabel Lovejoy went a little way up the lane leading towards the Maidstone road, on the chance of meeting her father.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The glow of the west glanced back from the trees, and twinkled in the hedge-rows, and clustered in the Traveller’s Joy, and here and there lay calmly waning on patches of mould that suited it.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading Good birds were looking for their usual roost, to hop in and out, and to talk about it, and to flap their wings and tails, until they should get sleepy.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading But the thrush, the latest songster now, since the riot of the nightingale, was cleaning his beak for his evensong; and a cock-robin, proud on the top of a pole, was clearing his throat, after feeding his young--the third family of the season!
