Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

(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 It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

a mixture of nectar and pollen prepared by worker bees and fed to larvae

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

installation from which a military force initiates operations

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

plural of “cluster” — a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

a baby bed with sides and rockers

From this reading To her, that is to say, to the hand that rocked the cradle.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

of an organism prior to birth or hatching

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

all the plant life in a particular region or period

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

for a limitless time

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading And this vision of fresh youth in my path, perhaps she was some guardian nymph.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

a young female

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

a person who cares for persons or property

From this reading And this vision of fresh youth in my path, perhaps she was some guardian nymph.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading To her, that is to say, to the hand that rocked the cradle.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading To her, that is to say, to the hand that rocked the cradle.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

not accessible to view

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading To her, that is to say, to the hand that rocked the cradle.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

of a pale purple color

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

plural of “lilac” — any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading And this vision of fresh youth in my path, perhaps she was some guardian nymph.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

drawn or pressed close to someone or something for or as if for affection or protection

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

(classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden

From this reading And this vision of fresh youth in my path, perhaps she was some guardian nymph.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

a course of conduct

From this reading And this vision of fresh youth in my path, perhaps she was some guardian nymph.

plural of “peony” — any of numerous plants widely cultivated for their showy single or double red or pink or white flowers

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

by chance

From this reading And this vision of fresh youth in my path, perhaps she was some guardian nymph.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

plural of “poppy” — annual or biennial or perennial herbs having showy flowers

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

radiating or as if radiating light

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

past form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading To her, that is to say, to the hand that rocked the cradle.

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

express in words

From this reading To her, that is to say, to the hand that rocked the cradle.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

-ing form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

confined on all sides

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To her, that is to say, to the hand that rocked the cradle.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading To her, that is to say, to the hand that rocked the cradle.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading And this vision of fresh youth in my path, perhaps she was some guardian nymph.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading To her, that is to say, to the hand that rocked the cradle.

plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

a vivid mental image

From this reading And this vision of fresh youth in my path, perhaps she was some guardian nymph.

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 was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state and she was a girl in short dresses.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was in a garden, surrounded by high red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses and poppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling their delicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May.

showing curiosity

From this reading I stood, straw hat in hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison of flowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placed here by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows and wildernesses.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading And this vision of fresh youth in my path, perhaps she was some guardian nymph.