used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was combative by nature, as every man with a strenuous purpose must necessarily be.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
BENEFICENTadjectiveUS /ˌbenəˈfɪʃənt/
doing or producing good
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
birches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
bracingnounUS /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/
a structural member used to stiffen a framework
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was combative by nature, as every man with a strenuous purpose must necessarily be.
caressnounUS /kərˈes/
a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
combativeadjectiveUS /kəmˈbætɪv/
inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
From this reading He was combative by nature, as every man with a strenuous purpose must necessarily be.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He was combative by nature, as every man with a strenuous purpose must necessarily be.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
Gallwey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
injuredadjectiveUS /ˈɪndʒərd/
harmed
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
lace-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
Leland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
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 Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
something that is lost
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was combative by nature, as every man with a strenuous purpose must necessarily be.
the force of workers available
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
moodsnounUS /muːdz/
plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
mouldverbUS /moʊld/
form in clay, wax, etc
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He was combative by nature, as every man with a strenuous purpose must necessarily be.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading He was combative by nature, as every man with a strenuous purpose must necessarily be.
Nature'snounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
necessarilyadverbUS /ˌnesəˈserəli/
in an essential manner
From this reading He was combative by nature, as every man with a strenuous purpose must necessarily be.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
a brief written record
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
overwhelmingadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He was combative by nature, as every man with a strenuous purpose must necessarily be.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
rustled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
only a very short time before
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
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 Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
with low volume
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
stemsnounUS /stemz/
plural of “stem” — (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
strenuousadjectiveUS /ˈstrenjuːəs/
characterized by or performed with much energy or force
From this reading He was combative by nature, as every man with a strenuous purpose must necessarily be.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
susceptibleadjectiveUS /səˈseptəbəl/
(often followed by “of” or “to”) yielding readily to or capable of
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
twigsnounUS /twɪɡz/
plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
vacantlyadverb
in a vacant manner
From this reading Leland noticed it vacantly, scarcely seeing the silver stems; for, susceptible as he was to all of Nature's moods, he was, at the time, bracing himself for the long struggle before him.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
wantonlyadverbUS /ˈwɔːntənli/
in a wanton manner
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
at the time that
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
in or at the place that
From this reading BENEFICENT RAIN When Gallwey left him, Leland walked slowly through the bluff where the birches rustled softly under the caress of a warm, gentle breeze.
which person or people
From this reading There was so much against him, and the loss of his horses had filled him with an overwhelming indignation against the men who had wantonly injured him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was a different note in their low murmur now, for the lace-like twigs were covered with slender leaves, and a new scent rose from the steaming mould.
