used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
addingverbUS /ˈædɪŋ/
-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
bankedverbUS /bæŋkt/
past form of “bank” — tip laterally
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
bayousnounUS /ˈbaɪuːz/
plural of “bayou” — a swampy arm or slow-moving outlet of a lake (term used mainly in Mississippi and Louisiana)
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
bottomsnounUS /ˈbɑːtəmz/
plural of “bottom” — the lower side of anything
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
canesnounUS /keɪnz/
plural of “cane” — a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
clothing in general
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
dampnessnounUS /ˈdæmpnɪs/
a slight wetness
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/
coming down or downward
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
drippedverbUS /drɪpt/
inflected form of “drip” — fall in drops
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
divisible by two
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
fringedadjective
surrounded as with a border or fringe; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
grassesnounUS /ˈɡræsəz/
plural of “grass” — narrow-leaved green herbage: grown as lawns; used as pasture for grazing animals; cut and dried as hay
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
gray-blanketed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
Kaskaskia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
come together
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
become covered with mist
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
oozedverbUS /uːzd/
past form of “ooze” — pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
ordinarilyadverbUS /ˌɔːrdəˈnerəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
overflowedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈfloʊd/
past form of “overflow” — flow or run over (a limit or brim)
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
permeatedverbUS /ˈpɜːrmieɪtɪd/
past form of “permeate” — spread or diffuse through
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
persistentlyadverbUS /pərˈsɪstəntli/
in a persistent manner
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
porchesnounUS /ˈpɔːrtʃəz/
plural of “porch” — a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
ramblingadjectiveUS /ˈræmblɪŋ/
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
reedsnounUS /riːdz/
plural of “reed” — tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
reeked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
saturatedadjectiveUS /ˈsætʃəreɪtɪd/
being the most concentrated solution possible at a given temperature; unable to dissolve still more of a substance
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
except for; apart from
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
slopingadjectiveUS /ˈsloʊpɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
not in physical motion
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
stuccoedverbUS /ˈstʌkoʊd/
past form of “stucco” — decorate with stucco work
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
submergedadjectiveUS /səbˈmɜːrdʒd/
beneath the surface of the water
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
confined on all sides
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
swollenadjectiveUS /ˈswoʊlən/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
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 For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
tributariesnounUS /ˈtrɪbjəteriz/
plural of “tributary” — a branch that flows into the main stream
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
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 The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The village was surrounded by water on three sides, and from the fort one could see nothing save the dreary waste of still, dull water.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading The Kaskaskia River, pushed out of its banks by its swollen tributaries, had overflowed all the bottoms, and banked the waters of the bayous up into the hills.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading For four days, a fine, thick rain had been descending persistently from the low, gray-blanketed sky, and a wet mist rose from the sodden earth to meet it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Even the reeds, canes, and grasses which ordinarily fringed the bayous, adding something of life and grace, were now submerged.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The soil reeked with dampness; it oozed from the walls of the stone or stuccoed houses, dripped from the sloping roofs of rambling porches, saturated one's clothes, and permeated one's blood.
