used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
amainadverb
at full speed; with great haste
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
blurverbUS /blɜːr/
become glassy; lose clear vision
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
BoyhoodnounUS /ˈbɔɪhʊd/
the childhood of a boy
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
of short duration or distance
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
a period of 100 years
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
ConenounUS /koʊn/
any cone-shaped artifact
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
deareradjectiveUS /ˈdɪrər/
comparative of “dear” — dearly loved
From this reading Does it not grow dearer to us every year?
Doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Does it not grow dearer to us every year?
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
encroachesverbUS /ɪnˈkroʊtʃɪz/
third-person singular of “encroach” — advance beyond the usual limit
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
at any time
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Does it not grow dearer to us every year?
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
firesides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
assemble or get together
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
gladnessnoun
experiencing joy and pleasure
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
glowsnounUS /ɡloʊz/
plural of “glow” — an alert and refreshed state
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Does it not grow dearer to us every year?
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
KentnounUS /kent/
a county in southeastern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, it was the first to be colonized by the Romans
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
kindles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
hear with intention
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
NavynounUS /ˈneɪvi/
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
nineteenthadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪnˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the eighteenth in position
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
not any; not one
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Does it not grow dearer to us every year?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
many times at short intervals
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
oldenadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldən/
relating to time long past
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
an amount of time
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
PinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
prosaicadjectiveUS /proʊˈzeɪɪk/
not fanciful or imaginative
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
respondsverbUS /rɪˈspɑːndz/
third-person singular of “respond” — show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
Saviour's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
SnowedverbUS /snoʊd/
past form of “snow” — fall as snow
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
SurfnounUS /sɜːrf/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
waningnounUS /ˈweɪnɪŋ/
a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
at the time that
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading As the twilight, often hastened by the soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth century life, to tales of olden time.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading _Author of “The Boyhood of John Kent,” “Snowed In,” “Christmas at Surf Point,” “The Pine Cone Series,” “Navy Blue,” etc._ It is the waning of the year.
yulenounUS /juːl/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading More than ever are we drawn together at the season of our Saviour’s birth, when the yule log glows amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth.
