adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
afraidadjectiveUS /əˈfreɪd/
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
AheadadverbUS /əˈhed/
at or in the front
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
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 Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
aloenounUS /ˈæloʊ/
succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in Africa
From this reading The lines of aloe, fig, and palm stood like shadows guarding a world of mystery.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
archnounUS /ɑːrtʃ/
a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Daphne had been unable to sleep, for sleeplessness had become a habit during the past week.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
cutverbUS /kʌt/
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
DaphnenounUS /ˈdæfni/
any of several ornamental shrubs with shiny mostly evergreen leaves and clusters of small bell-shaped flowers
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Daphne had been unable to sleep, for sleeplessness had become a habit during the past week.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
exultantadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzʌltənt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
fignounUS /fɪɡ/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The lines of aloe, fig, and palm stood like shadows guarding a world of mystery.
foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
gardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
goldenadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊldən/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
guardingverbUS /ˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “guard” — to keep watch over
From this reading The lines of aloe, fig, and palm stood like shadows guarding a world of mystery.
habitnounUS /ˈhæbət/
an established custom
From this reading Daphne had been unable to sleep, for sleeplessness had become a habit during the past week.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
ilexes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
infiniteadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfənət/
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
leadverbUS /led/
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
lednounUS /led/
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The lines of aloe, fig, and palm stood like shadows guarding a world of mystery.
linesnounUS /laɪnz/
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The lines of aloe, fig, and palm stood like shadows guarding a world of mystery.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
midnightnounUS /ˈmɪdnaɪt/
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
of an obscure nature
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
mysterynounUS /ˈmɪstəri/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading The lines of aloe, fig, and palm stood like shadows guarding a world of mystery.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
OverheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
palmnounUS /pɑːm/
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading The lines of aloe, fig, and palm stood like shadows guarding a world of mystery.
passer-bynoun
a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Daphne had been unable to sleep, for sleeplessness had become a habit during the past week.
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
pebbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
planetnounUS /ˈplænət/
(astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
seemingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːmɪŋ/
appearing as such but not necessarily so
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading The lines of aloe, fig, and palm stood like shadows guarding a world of mystery.
shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
sleepnounUS /sliːp/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Daphne had been unable to sleep, for sleeplessness had become a habit during the past week.
sleeplessnessnoun
a temporary state in which you are unable (or unwilling) to sleep
From this reading Daphne had been unable to sleep, for sleeplessness had become a habit during the past week.
softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
spacenounUS /speɪs/
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
starsnounUS /stɑːrz/
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
steppedverbUS /stept/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The lines of aloe, fig, and palm stood like shadows guarding a world of mystery.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
thickadjectiveUS /θɪk/
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
unableadjectiveUS /əˈneɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Daphne had been unable to sleep, for sleeplessness had become a habit during the past week.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
walksnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
wanderingadjectiveUS /ˈwɑːndərɪŋ/
migratory
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Daphne had been unable to sleep, for sleeplessness had become a habit during the past week.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Overhead was a sky of soft, dusky blue, broken by the clear light of the stars: all about were the familiar walks of the villa garden, mysterious now in the darkness, and seeming to lead into infinite space.
westnounUS /west/
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Ahead, through an arch where the thick foliage of the ilexes had been cut to leave the way clear for the passer-by, a single golden planet shone low in the west, and the garden path led to it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Daphne, wandering alone in the garden at midnight, half exultant, half afraid, stepped noiselessly along the pebbled walks with a feeling that that world was about to open for her.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The lines of aloe, fig, and palm stood like shadows guarding a world of mystery.
