adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
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 To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
BennounUS /ben/
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
carse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
catchverbUS /kætʃ/
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
champaigns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
chosennounUS /ˈtʃoʊzən/
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
climatesnounUS /ˈklaɪməts/
plural of “climate” — the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
commandingadjectiveUS /kəˈmændɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
cruellyadverbUS /ˈkruːli/
excessively
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
eastnounUS /iːst/
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
EdinburghnounUS /ˈedənbəroʊ/
the capital of Scotland; located in the Lothian Region on the south side of the Firth of Forth
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
estuarynounUS /ˈestʃuːeri/
the wide part of a river where it nears the sea; fresh and salt water mix
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
expandsverbUS /ɪkˈspændz/
third-person singular of “expand” — extend in one or more directions
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
famousadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪməs/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
FirthnounUS /fɜːrθ/
English linguist who contributed to linguistic semantics and to prosodic phonology and who was noted for his insistence on studying both sound and meaning in context (1890-1960)
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
gardensnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənz/
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
GermannounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmən/
a person of German nationality
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
heavennounUS /ˈhevən/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
hillsnounUS /hɪlz/
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
kingdomnounUS /ˈkɪŋdəm/
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
Ledi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
lighthousenounUS /ˈlaɪthaʊs/
a tower with a light that gives warning of shoals to passing ships
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
looksnounUS /lʊks/
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
metropolisnounUS /məˈtrɑːpələs/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
NorthnounUS /nɔːrθ/
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
OceannounUS /ˈoʊʃən/
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
overlookingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
paysnounUS /peɪz/
plural of “pay” — something that remunerates
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
precipicenounUS /ˈpresəpəs/
a very steep cliff
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
prospectsnounUS /ˈprɑːspekts/
plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
seatnounUS /siːt/
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
sitsverbUS /sɪts/
third-person singular of “sit” — be seated
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading No situation could be more commanding for the head city of a kingdom; none better chosen for noble prospects.
slopenounUS /sloʊp/
an elevated geological formation
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
snowsnounUS /snoʊz/
plural of “snow” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
sparknounUS /spɑːrk/
a momentary flash of light
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
Stirling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
sunsetnounUS /ˈsʌnset/
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
terracedverbUS /ˈterəst/
past form of “terrace” — provide (a house) with a terrace
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
vilest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven.
westnounUS /west/
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading From her tall precipice and terraced gardens she looks far and wide on the sea and broad champaigns.
windyadjectiveUS /ˈwɪndi/
abounding in or exposed to the wind or breezes
From this reading The ancient and famous metropolis of the North sits overlooking a windy estuary from the slope and summit of three hills.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading To the east you may catch at sunset the spark of the May lighthouse, where the Firth expands into the German Ocean; and away to the west, over all the carse of Stirling, you can see the first snows upon Ben Ledi.
