used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
arrayedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪd/
in ceremonial attire and paraphernalia
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
arrowsnounUS /ˈæroʊz/
plural of “arrow” — a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
bonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/
a hat tied under the chin
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
contemplatesverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪts/
third-person singular of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
Cripps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
deceasednounUS /dɪˈsiːst/
someone who is no longer alive
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
put on clothes
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
EXPLANATIONSnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “explanation” — a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading EXPLANATIONS.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
glorifyingverbUS /ˈɡlɔːrəfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “glorify” — praise, glorify, or honor
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
death of a person
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
grossadjectiveUS /ɡroʊs/
before any deductions
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
hitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
imbecilenounUS /ˈɪmbəsəl/
a person of subnormal intelligence
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
instinctiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
melodynounUS /ˈmelədi/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
subject to death
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
narratedverbUS /ˈnereɪtɪd/
past form of “narrate” — provide commentary for a film, for example
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
NinanounUS /ˈniːnə/
the Babylonian goddess of the watery deep and daughter of Ea
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
pouringadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
flowing profusely
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
symbolsnounUS /ˈsɪmbəlz/
plural of “symbol” — an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
TiffnounUS /tɪf/
a quarrel about petty points
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
having come into contact
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
at the time that
From this reading A chorus of birds were pouring out an evening melody, when a little company stood around an open grave.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Cripps stood by the head of the grave, with that hopeless, imbecile expression with which a nature wholly gross and animal often contemplates the symbols of the close of mortal existence.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The golden arrows of the setting sun were shooting hither and thither through the pine woods, glorifying whatever they touched with a life not its own.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading With instinctive care for the feeling of the scene, Nina had arrayed herself in a black silk dress, and plain straw bonnet with black ribbon--a mark of respect to the deceased remembered and narrated by Tiff for many a year after.
