used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
(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 He probably felt that he had not been "getting on" at all, and his response was not encouraging.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
back-window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
completely unclothed
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
breakfasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
buttercupsnounUS /ˈbʌtərkʌps/
plural of “buttercup” — any of various plants of the genus Ranunculus
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
CynthianounUS /ˈsɪnθiə/
(Greek mythology) the virgin goddess of the hunt and the Moon; daughter of Leto and twin sister of Apollo; identified with Roman Diana
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
encouragingadjectiveUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒɪŋ/
giving courage or confidence or hope
From this reading He probably felt that he had not been "getting on" at all, and his response was not encouraging.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He probably felt that he had not been "getting on" at all, and his response was not encouraging.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
start firing a weapon
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
inquireverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/
address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
KentnounUS /kent/
a county in southeastern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, it was the first to be colonized by the Romans
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
immediately past
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
for more time
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
engage in
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
absolutely essential
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
not any; not one
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He probably felt that he had not been "getting on" at all, and his response was not encouraging.
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
overlookedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkt/
not taken into account
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading He probably felt that he had not been "getting on" at all, and his response was not encouraging.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading He probably felt that he had not been "getting on" at all, and his response was not encouraging.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
cut with a saw
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
propel through the air
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
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 As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
migratory
From this reading After breakfast he would make an attempt to read the newspaper, with his thoughts wandering back to his manuscript, and Cynthia would have an interview with Ann.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
wavingnounUS /ˈweɪvɪŋ/
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He rose at six now, and did about three hours' work before Cynthia went down.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Then they breakfasted, and, with an effort to throw some interest into her voice, she would inquire how he had been getting on.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading As, chapter by chapter, the novel grew under his hand, Kent saw, from the little back-window, the snow disappear and the bare trees grow green, until at last a fire was no longer necessary in the room, and the waving fields that he overlooked were yellow with buttercups.
