used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
Athalie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
bloomnounUS /bluːm/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
burrowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A little later commenced her memory of her mother--a still, white-shawled figure sewing under a peach tree in pink bloom.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
creepverbUS /kriːp/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
at any time
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
enclose with a fence
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading A little later commenced her memory of her mother--a still, white-shawled figure sewing under a peach tree in pink bloom.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
hostsnounUS /hoʊsts/
plural of “host” — a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
kaleidoscopicadjective
continually shifting or rapidly changing
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A little later commenced her memory of her mother--a still, white-shawled figure sewing under a peach tree in pink bloom.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little later commenced her memory of her mother--a still, white-shawled figure sewing under a peach tree in pink bloom.
memoriesnounUS /ˈmɛm.ə.riz/
Recollections of past events.
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
moistadjectiveUS /mɔɪst/
slightly wet
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
morning-glories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading A little later commenced her memory of her mother--a still, white-shawled figure sewing under a peach tree in pink bloom.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
odournounUS /ˈoʊdər/
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
peachnounUS /piːtʃ/
cultivated in temperate regions
From this reading A little later commenced her memory of her mother--a still, white-shawled figure sewing under a peach tree in pink bloom.
a light shade of red
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
rottingnounUS /ˈrɑːtɪŋ/
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
sewingnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading A little later commenced her memory of her mother--a still, white-shawled figure sewing under a peach tree in pink bloom.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
skiesnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
not in physical motion
From this reading A little later commenced her memory of her mother--a still, white-shawled figure sewing under a peach tree in pink bloom.
sun-warmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A little later commenced her memory of her mother--a still, white-shawled figure sewing under a peach tree in pink bloom.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her first memories were of blue skies, green trees, sunshine, and the odour of warm moist earth.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Always through life she retained this memory of her early consciousness--a tree in pink bloom; morning-glories covering a rotting board fence; deep, rich, sun-warmed soil into which her baby fingers burrowed.
whirlverbUS /wɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
a Caucasian
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
white-shawled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little later commenced her memory of her mother--a still, white-shawled figure sewing under a peach tree in pink bloom.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Vast were her mother's skirts, as Athalie remembered them--a wide white tent under which she could creep out of the sunlight and hide.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Always, too, her earliest memories were crowded with children, hosts of them in a kaleidoscopic whirl around her, and their voices seemed ever in her ears.
