used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
balladnounUS /ˈbæləd/
a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
borderingverbUS /ˈbɔːrdərɪŋ/
-ing form of “border” — extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
Carstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
close-clipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
crooningnounUS /ˈkruːnɪŋ/
singing in a soft low tone
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
curtainedadjective
furnished or concealed with curtains or draperies
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
one or the other of two
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
EMBARKEDverbUS /emˈbɑːrkt/
past form of “embark” — go on board
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
ErinnounUS /ˈerɪn/
an early name of Ireland that is now used in poetry
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
floweringnounUS /ˈflaʊərɪŋ/
the time and process of budding and unfolding of blossoms
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
fountain-sprayer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
in a gradual manner
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
HAVINGauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
hosingverbUS /ˈhoʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “hose” — water with a hose
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
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 At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
become covered with mist
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
oaksnounUS /oʊks/
plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
peelingnounUS /ˈpiːlɪŋ/
loss of bits of outer skin by peeling or shedding or coming off in scales
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
phaetonnoun
large open car seating four with folding top
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
reassuringadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrɪŋ/
restoring confidence and relieving anxiety
From this reading It was a serene and reassuring scene.
rosebushes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
rubbernounUS /ˈrʌbər/
an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading It was a serene and reassuring scene.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading It was a serene and reassuring scene.
shadingnounUS /ˈʃeɪdɪŋ/
graded markings that indicate light or shaded areas in a drawing or painting
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading On the back porch, an elderly cook was peeling potatoes and gently crooning some old ballad of Erin.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
in or at that place or location
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
UPONprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
VARNEY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading VARNEY, HAVING EMBARKED UPON A CRIME, FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY There was a fine old hedge of box bordering the Carstairs lawn, old rosebushes inside it and many flowering shrubs.
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 At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading At the left, a fountain-sprayer now whirled a mist of water over the trim grass, and far to the rear a man in rubber boots was hosing off a phaeton before a carriage house.
a Caucasian
From this reading Splendid oaks curtained the big white house on either side, shading the expanse of close-clipped turf.
