used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
ashnounUS /æʃ/
the residue that remains when something is burned
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
blastverbUS /blæst/
make a strident sound
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
blushingadjectiveUS /ˈblʌʃɪŋ/
having a red face from embarrassment or shame or agitation or emotional upset
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
BruinnounUS /ˈbruːɪn/
a conventional name for a bear used in tales following usage in the old epic “Reynard the Fox”
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
BudsnounUS /bʌdz/
plural of “bud” — a partially opened flower
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
chillingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪlɪŋ/
provoking fear terror
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
coquetted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
flirtingnounUS /ˈflɜːrtɪŋ/
playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
gray-greenadjective
of green tinged with grey
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
gray-hairedadjective
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
hailverbUS /heɪl/
praise vociferously
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
immediately past
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
maplesnounUS /ˈmeɪpəlz/
plural of “maple” — wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
meltingnounUS /ˈmeltɪŋ/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
oncomingadjectiveUS /ˈɔːnkʌmɪŋ/
moving toward one
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
pilenounUS /paɪl/
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
retardverbUS /rɪˈtɑːrd/
cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
sallied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
seasonsnounUS /ˈsiːzənz/
plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
snow-banks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
somberadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːmbər/
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
the season of growth
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
not in physical motion
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
suggestingverbUS /səˈdʒestɪŋ/
-ing form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
suggestionsnounUS /səˈdʒestʃənz/
plural of “suggestion” — an idea that is suggested
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
sweet-breathedadjective
having breath or breath as specified
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
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 Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
triflingnounUS /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
at the time that
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading If the sun shone brightly for an hour, there might come a dash of hail the next and a chilling blast of wind that seemed to retard the oncoming spring for a whole month.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Life hung in the balance, the seasons coquetted, gray-haired old Winter trifling and flirting with the warm, blushing, sweet-breathed Spring.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading A PLEASANT COMPANION When Black Bruin awoke from his long sleep, stretched himself, and sallied forth into the open world, the first faint touch of red was appearing upon the soft maples.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The tones of the forest were still somber, light gray-green or ash color, suggesting the funeral pile of the last year.
but in spite of that
From this reading Buds upon the other trees had not started and there were yet suggestions of the chill of melting snow-banks upon the air.
