used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Everywhere the birds were chirping and hustling about their morning duties.
AllennounUS /ˈælən/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
aspennounUS /ˈæspən/
any of several trees of the genus Populus having leaves on flattened stalks so that they flutter in the lightest wind
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
beesnounUS /biːz/
plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Everywhere the birds were chirping and hustling about their morning duties.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Up through the green leaves the bluest of blue skies showed in tiny spots.
bluestadjectiveUS /ˈbluːəst/
superlative of “blue” — of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Up through the green leaves the bluest of blue skies showed in tiny spots.
cablesnounUS /ˈkeɪbəlz/
plural of “cable” — a telegram sent abroad
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
CheyennenounUS /ʃaɪˈen/
the capital and largest city of Wyoming; located in the southeastern corner of the state
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
chirpingverbUS /ˈtʃɜːrpɪŋ/
-ing form of “chirp” — make high-pitched sounds
From this reading Everywhere the birds were chirping and hustling about their morning duties.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
the first light of day
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Everywhere the birds were chirping and hustling about their morning duties.
to or in any or all places
From this reading Everywhere the birds were chirping and hustling about their morning duties.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Up through the green leaves the bluest of blue skies showed in tiny spots.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
hustlingverbUS /ˈhʌsəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “hustle” — cause to move furtively and hurriedly
From this reading Everywhere the birds were chirping and hustling about their morning duties.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Up through the green leaves the bluest of blue skies showed in tiny spots.
industriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəs/
characterized by hard work and perseverance
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
and nothing more
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
immediately past
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Up through the green leaves the bluest of blue skies showed in tiny spots.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
removingverbUS /riˈmuːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “remove” — remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Up through the green leaves the bluest of blue skies showed in tiny spots.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
skiesnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Up through the green leaves the bluest of blue skies showed in tiny spots.
spidersnounUS /ˈspaɪdərz/
plural of “spider” — predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
spotsnounUS /spɑːts/
spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
From this reading Up through the green leaves the bluest of blue skies showed in tiny spots.
streaksnounUS /striːks/
plural of “streak” — an unbroken series of events
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
summer'snounUS /ˈsʌmərz/
possessive form of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
sweetsnounUS /swiːts/
plural of “sweet” — English phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Everywhere the birds were chirping and hustling about their morning duties.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Up through the green leaves the bluest of blue skies showed in tiny spots.
very small
From this reading Up through the green leaves the bluest of blue skies showed in tiny spots.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Up through the green leaves the bluest of blue skies showed in tiny spots.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an autumn morning, for a light frost had settled during the night, and here and there lay the ghost of an aspen leaf that had flitted down.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Third Day Out The first gray streaks of dawn were just creeping over the ridge of old Cheyenne as Mr. Allen awoke.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Here and there industrious spiders were at work removing the drops of silver dew from their shining cables of silk, and the bees were already gathering the last of the summer's sweets.
