used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
anew
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
(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 hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
BlairnounUS /bler/
British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading Night had closed in round Castle Blair.
blazedverbUS /bleɪzd/
past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Night had closed in round Castle Blair.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Night had closed in round Castle Blair.
dampnessnounUS /ˈdæmpnɪs/
a slight wetness
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
down-pour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
ghostsnounUS /ɡoʊsts/
plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
gloomilyadverbUS /ˈɡluːməli/
with gloom
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Night had closed in round Castle Blair.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
halonounUS /ˈheɪloʊ/
an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
illuminedverbUS /ˌɪˈluːmənd/
past form of “illumine” — make lighter or brighter
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Night had closed in round Castle Blair.
indistinctadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading But there was one spot of light in the landscape.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But there was one spot of light in the landscape.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
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 Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
loomedverbUS /luːmd/
past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
become covered with mist
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Night had closed in round Castle Blair.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But there was one spot of light in the landscape.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Night had closed in round Castle Blair.
shudderverbUS /ˈʃʌdər/
shake, as from cold
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But there was one spot of light in the landscape.
make steady
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
streamedverbUS /striːmd/
past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
possessing sweep
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there was one spot of light in the landscape.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
up to a particular time
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
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 In the park the great trees, like giant ghosts, loomed gloomily indistinct through the dim atmosphere.
precisely as stated
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The hall door of the castle stood open, and behind it, in hospitable Irish fashion, there blazed a fire from which the warm rays streamed out and illumined the very rain itself; for the dampness caught the pleasant glow and reflected it back again, till all round about the doorway there was a halo of golden mist.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Not a sound was to be heard but the steady down-pour of rain, and, from time to time, a long, low shudder of trees as the night wind swept over the park.
