adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
alternatelyadverbUS /ˈɔːltərnətli/
in an alternating sequence or position
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading As we were discussing the point, the gate opened and she appeared.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As we were discussing the point, the gate opened and she appeared.
askverbUS /æsk/
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
attemptnounUS /əˈtempt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
bownounUS /baʊ/
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
breakverbUS /breɪk/
terminate
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
caughtverbUS /kɑːt/
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
climbedverbUS /klaɪmd/
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
dilatedverbUS /ˌdaɪˈleɪtɪd/
past form of “dilate” — become wider
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading As we were discussing the point, the gate opened and she appeared.
drollest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
enclosurenounUS /enˈkloʊʒər/
a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
engagedadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒd/
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
feedverbUS /fiːd/
provide as food
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
FLOWERnounUS /ˈflaʊər/
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
gatenounUS /ɡeɪt/
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading As we were discussing the point, the gate opened and she appeared.
glimpsenounUS /ɡlɪmps/
a quick look
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
HalfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
haltingadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːltɪŋ/
disabled in the feet or legs
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
HOLYnounUS /ˈhoʊli/
a sacred place of pilgrimage
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
HOMEnounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
listeningnounUS /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
lovelinessnoun
the quality of being good looking and attractive
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
offendverbUS /əˈfend/
cause to feel resentment or indignation
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
OnlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading As we were discussing the point, the gate opened and she appeared.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
orchidnounUS /ˈɔːrkəd/
any of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
persuadeverbUS /pərˈsweɪd/
win approval or support for
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading As we were discussing the point, the gate opened and she appeared.
positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
reverentialadjectiveUS /ˌrevərˈenʃəl/
feeling or manifesting veneration
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
rhapsodies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
sacredadjectiveUS /ˈseɪkrəd/
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
secondlyadverbUS /ˈsekəndli/
in the second place
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As we were discussing the point, the gate opened and she appeared.
SirsnounUS /sɜːrrz/
plural of “sir” — term of address for a man
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
speakingnounUS /ˈspiːkɪŋ/
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
Stephen'snounUS /ˈstiːvənz/
possessive form of “stephen” — English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
tellingadjectiveUS /ˈtelɪŋ/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
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 First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As we were discussing the point, the gate opened and she appeared.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As we were discussing the point, the gate opened and she appeared.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Only by telling him that he might offend her did I persuade him not to attempt to break into the sacred enclosure where the orchid grew.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE HOME OF THE HOLY FLOWER Half an hour or so passed, during which I was engaged alternately in thinking over our position and in listening to Stephen’s rhapsodies.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
yesnounUS /jes/
an affirmative
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Sirs,” she said, with a reverential bow, speaking slowly and in the drollest halting English, “the mother and the father--yes, the father--ask, will you feed?”
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading First he dilated on the loveliness of the Holy Flower that he had caught a glimpse of when he climbed the wall, and secondly, on the beauty of the eyes of the young lady in white.
