used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Our arms lagged at the paddling.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Our arms lagged at the paddling.
Ay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
drumsnounUS /drʌmz/
plural of “drum” — a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
echoesnounUS /ˈekoʊz/
plural of “echo” — the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
fifes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
flightsnounUS /flaɪts/
plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
flocksnounUS /flɑːks/
plural of “flock” — a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
gemmedadjective
covered with beads or jewels or sequins
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
idlingnounUS /ˈaɪdəlɪŋ/
having no employment
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
incalculableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkælkjələbəl/
not able to be computed or enumerated
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
laggedverbUS /læɡd/
inflected form of “lag” — hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
From this reading Our arms lagged at the paddling.
languornoun
a relaxed comfortable feeling
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
mistyadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsti/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
myriads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
northwardadverbUS /ˈnɔːrθwərd/
in a northern direction
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our arms lagged at the paddling.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
paddlingverbUS /ˈpædəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “paddle” — propel with a paddle
From this reading Our arms lagged at the paddling.
pigeonsnounUS /ˈpɪdʒənz/
plural of “pigeon” — wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
a light shade of red
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
proneadjectiveUS /proʊn/
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
proportionsnounUS /prəˈpɔːrʃənz/
plural of “proportion” — the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
savannahs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
thwartsnounUS /θwɔːrts/
plural of “thwart” — a crosspiece spreading the gunnels of a boat; used as a seat in a rowboat
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
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 The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
vividlyadverbUS /ˈvɪvədli/
in a vivid manner
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were prone to idling back against the thwarts and watching the vast flocks of birds that flew northward, and especially the incalculable myriads of the pigeons, flights of such monstrous proportions that they darkened the sky.
whirringnounUS /ˈwɜːrɪŋ/
sound of something in rapid motion
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
a Caucasian
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
wild-flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
WILDERNESSnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading Ay, they shut out the light of the sun, for an hour at a time, the whirring of their wings and their sharp cries like the faint echoes of fairy drums and fifes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS Summer blew up from the South and wrapped the Wilderness Country in a misty languor.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The forest trees hung heavy with foliage, vividly green, and the occasional meadows and savannahs were gemmed with wild-flowers, white and red and yellow and blue and pink and purple.
