used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
burnsnounUS /bɜːrnz/
United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
drearinessnounUS /ˈdriːrinəs/
extreme dullness; lacking spirit or interest
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
driftsnounUS /drɪfts/
plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading "'As dull as a great thaw,'" she quoted.
dykesnounUS /daɪks/
plural of “dyke” — (slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
divisible by two
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
giant'snounUS /ˈdʒaɪənts/
possessive form of “giant” — any creature of exceptional size
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
hillsidesnounUS /ˈhɪlsaɪdz/
plural of “hillside” — the side or slope of a hill
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
hollowsnounUS /ˈhɑːloʊz/
plural of “hollow” — a cavity or space in something
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
provoking horror
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
the act of departing
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
moorlandsnounUS /ˈmʊrlændz/
plural of “moorland” — open land usually with peaty soil covered with heather and bracken and moss
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
purple-dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
quotedverbUS /ˈkwoʊtɪd/
past form of “quote” — repeat a passage from
From this reading "'As dull as a great thaw,'" she quoted.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "'As dull as a great thaw,'" she quoted.
sloppinessnounUS /ˈslɑːpinəs/
the wetness of ground that is covered or soaked with water
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
spatenounUS /speɪt/
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
spongeverbUS /spʌndʒ/
wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
steamyadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmi/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
not in physical motion
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
thawnounUS /θɔː/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
tumblingnounUS /ˈtʌmbəlɪŋ/
the gymnastic moves of an acrobat
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
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 "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
washingnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/
the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The thaw came suddenly, and, almost in a night, the snow went, leaving the moorlands like some vast sponge.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
at the time that
From this reading "It's like a giant's washing day--such a sloppiness and dreariness, and that horrible steamy feeling that a house gets when the frost goes suddenly and leaves everything damp, even the walls and the furniture.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Ann stood looking out at the wide view, at the hills purple-dark, with drifts of snow still in the hollows and at the back of dykes.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The air was full of the rushing of a great west wind and the noise of running water, as burns, heavy with spate, came tumbling down the hillsides.
