AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
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 This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SCENE II The BURLACOMBES' high and nearly empty barn.
applenounUS /ˈæpəl/
fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
balesnounUS /beɪlz/
plural of “bale” — a large bundle bound for storage or transport
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
barnnounUS /bɑːrn/
an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading SCENE II The BURLACOMBES' high and nearly empty barn.
beatingnounUS /ˈbiːtɪŋ/
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
benchnounUS /bentʃ/
a long seat for more than one person
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
bitnounUS /bɪt/
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
BOBBIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
boynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
bundlesnounUS /ˈbʌndəlz/
plural of “bundle” — a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
BURLACOMBES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCENE II The BURLACOMBES' high and nearly empty barn.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
CLYST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
CONNIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
dancingnounUS /ˈdænsɪŋ/
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
EightadjectiveUS /eɪt/
being one more than seven
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
emptyverbUS /ˈempti/
make void or empty of contents
From this reading SCENE II The BURLACOMBES' high and nearly empty barn.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
fifteennounUS /fɪfˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
FigurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
givesnounUS /ɡɪvz/
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
GLADYS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
haynounUS /heɪ/
grass mowed and cured for use as fodder
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading SCENE II The BURLACOMBES' high and nearly empty barn.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
IInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading SCENE II The BURLACOMBES' high and nearly empty barn.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
IVYnounUS /ˈaɪvi/
Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
JARLAND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
leaningadjectiveUS /ˈliːnɪŋ/
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
liftsnounUS /lɪfts/
plural of “lift” — the act of giving temporary assistance
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
MERCYnounUS /ˈmɜːrsi/
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
moonlightnounUS /ˈmuːnlaɪt/
the light of the Moon
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
mouthnounUS /maʊθ/
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading SCENE II The BURLACOMBES' high and nearly empty barn.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
rafternounUS /ˈræftər/
one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
remainingadjectiveUS /rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/
not used up
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
ropenounUS /roʊp/
a strong line
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
rudeadjectiveUS /ruːd/
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
SCENEnounUS /siːn/
the place where some action occurs
From this reading SCENE II The BURLACOMBES' high and nearly empty barn.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
sitsverbUS /sɪts/
third-person singular of “sit” — be seated
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
slantingadjectiveUS /ˈslæntɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
sleepilyadverbUS /ˈsliːpəli/
in a sleepy manner
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
slenderadjectiveUS /ˈslendər/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
square-cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
stackedadjectiveUS /stækt/
arranged in a stack
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
stockingedadjective
wearing stockings
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
strawnounUS /strɔː/
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
tambourinenounUS /ˌtæmbərˈiːn/
a shallow drum with a single drumhead and with metallic disks in the sides
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SCENE II The BURLACOMBES' high and nearly empty barn.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
TIBBY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
TIM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A lantern is hung by a rope that lifts the bales of straw, to a long ladder leaning against a rafter.
tracknounUS /træk/
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
truncatedadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌŋkeɪtɪd/
cut short in duration
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading This gives all the light there is, save for a slender track of moonlight, slanting in from the end, where the two great doors are not quite closed.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With stockinged feet GLADYS, IVY, CONNIE, and MERCY, TIM CLYST, and BOBBIE JARLAND, a boy of fifteen, are dancing a truncated "Figure of Eight"; and their shadow are dancing alongside on the walls.
year'snounUS /jɪrz/
possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading On a rude bench in front of a few remaining, stacked, square-cut bundles of last year's hay, sits TIBBY JARLAND, a bit of apple in her mouth, sleepily beating on a tambourine.
