used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
attentivelyadverbUS /əˈtentɪvli/
with attention; in an attentive manner
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "What is it?" said Davy, cautiously edging away.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
BELIEVINGnounUS /bɪˈliːvɪŋ/
the cognitive process that leads to convictions
From this reading THE END OF THE BELIEVING VOYAGE.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
bugnounUS /bʌɡ/
general term for any insect or similar creeping or crawling invertebrate
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading "What is it?" said Davy, cautiously edging away.
cheerilyadverb
in a cheerful manner
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
chirpingverbUS /ˈtʃɜːrpɪŋ/
-ing form of “chirp” — make high-pitched sounds
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
dainty-colored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
dartingverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
DavynounUS /ˈdeɪvi/
English chemist who was a pioneer in electrochemistry and who used it to isolate elements sodium and potassium and barium and boron and calcium and magnesium and chlorine (1778-1829)
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
Davy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
edgingnounUS /ˈedʒɪŋ/
border consisting of anything placed on the edge to finish something (such as a fringe on clothing or on a rug)
From this reading "What is it?" said Davy, cautiously edging away.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE END OF THE BELIEVING VOYAGE.
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
set up or found
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
funniestadjectiveUS /ˈfʌniəst/
superlative of “funny” — arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
GoblinnounUS /ˈɡɑːblɪn/
(folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
the act of retaining something
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
insectsnounUS /ˈɪnsekts/
plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "What is it?" said Davy, cautiously edging away.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
meadownounUS /ˈmedoʊ/
a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE END OF THE BELIEVING VOYAGE.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
strugglingadjectiveUS /ˈstrʌɡəlɪŋ/
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
express a supposition
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE END OF THE BELIEVING VOYAGE.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
a special situation
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading THE END OF THE BELIEVING VOYAGE.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What is it?" said Davy, cautiously edging away.
at the time that
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading The air was filled with dainty-colored insects, darting about in the warm sunshine, and chirping cheerily as they flew, and at a little distance the Goblin was sitting on the grass, attentively examining a great, struggling creature that he was holding down by its wings.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Davy sat up and looked around him he found himself in a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining brightly on the grass and the wild flowers.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading "I suppose," said the Goblin, as if Davy's sudden appearance was the most ordinary thing in the world,--"I suppose that this is about the funniest bug that flies."
