used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CHILD’S STORY.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
BewareverbUS /bɪˈwer/
be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading CHARLES MACKAY.
CHILD'SnounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading A CHILD’S STORY.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
Corrievreckan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
dew-drops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
ELFnounUS /elf/
(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
From this reading THE ELF OF THE WOODLANDS.
an old word for “before”
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
festoonnounUS /ˌfeˈstuːn/
a curtain of fabric draped and bound at intervals to form graceful curves
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
half-awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
Kelpienoun
(Scottish folklore) water spirit in the form of a horse that likes to drown its riders
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
MACKAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHARLES MACKAY.
maidsnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
murkyadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrki/
(of liquids) clouded as with sediment
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
o'eradverb
throughout a period of time
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
peepingverbUS /ˈpiːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
participate in games or sport
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
the state of being asleep
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
in the near future
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
spangledadjectiveUS /ˈspæŋɡəld/
covered with beads or jewels or sequins
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
spider's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading A CHILD’S STORY.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
up to a particular time
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
trickleverbUS /ˈtrɪkəl/
run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
vanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
vapoursnoun
a state of depression
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
warnverbUS /wɔːrn/
notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
webnounUS /web/
an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving
From this reading In his bed the summer sun is sleeping, And the air is murky and cool; The vapours o’er the grass are creeping, Or hanging above the pool; But a timid gleam, Like a half-awake dream, Comes peering and peeping soon; Till dew-drops trickle gay In the spider’s web to play, And swing in his spangled festoon.
whoever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
WOODLANDSnounUS /ˈwʊdlændz/
plural of “woodland” — land that is covered with trees and shrubs
From this reading THE ELF OF THE WOODLANDS.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I warn you, maids, whoever you be, Beware of pride and vanity; And ere on change of love you reckon, Beware the Kelpie of Corrievreckan.
