adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often is not.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was April; and May was close at hand.
Annie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the kitchen Annie Moriarty was preparing dinner.
applenounUS /ˈæpəl/
fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading It was April; and May was close at hand.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was April; and May was close at hand.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often is not.
bluebirdsnounUS /ˈbluːbɜːrdz/
plural of “bluebird” — fruit-eating mostly brilliant blue songbird of the East Indies
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
brownnounUS /braʊn/
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
budnounUS /bʌd/
a partially opened flower
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
bushesnounUS /ˈbʊʃəz/
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading It was April; and May was close at hand.
deadadjectiveUS /ded/
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading In the kitchen Annie Moriarty was preparing dinner.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
everywhereadverbUS /ˈevriwer/
to or in any or all places
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
grassverbUS /ɡræs/
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was April; and May was close at hand.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
hollowadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːloʊ/
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
housekeepingnounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpɪŋ/
the work of cleaning and running a house
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
inspectingverbUS /ˌɪnˈspektɪŋ/
-ing form of “inspect” — look over carefully
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often is not.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was April; and May was close at hand.
kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading In the kitchen Annie Moriarty was preparing dinner.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often is not.
living-roomnoun
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It was April; and May was close at hand.
Moriarty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the kitchen Annie Moriarty was preparing dinner.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often is not.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often is not.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
pairnounUS /per/
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading In the kitchen Annie Moriarty was preparing dinner.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often is not.
showingnounUS /ˈʃoʊɪŋ/
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often is not.
SoundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
sparkledverbUS /ˈspɑːrkəld/
past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
springnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often is not.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often is not.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
treenounUS /triː/
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
TreesnounUS /triːz/
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 Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
unclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
vinesnounUS /vaɪnz/
plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was April; and May was close at hand.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
weathernounUS /ˈweðər/
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often is not.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
