used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They walked on as if they were floating on a summer stream.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading They walked around to the back of the house, between the rigid gooseberry bushes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They walked on as if they were floating on a summer stream.
in a state of sleep
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading They walked around to the back of the house, between the rigid gooseberry bushes.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading They walked around to the back of the house, between the rigid gooseberry bushes.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading They walked around to the back of the house, between the rigid gooseberry bushes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was Zeena’s habit, when they came back late from the village, to leave the key of the kitchen door under the mat.
crapenoun
small very thin pancake
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
cucumber-vine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
dangledverbUS /ˈdæŋɡəld/
past form of “dangle” — hang freely
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
Ethan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading They walked on as if they were floating on a summer stream.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
gooseberrynounUS /ˈɡuːsberi/
spiny Eurasian shrub having greenish purple-tinged flowers and ovoid yellow-green or red-purple berries
From this reading They walked around to the back of the house, between the rigid gooseberry bushes.
an established custom
From this reading It was Zeena’s habit, when they came back late from the village, to leave the key of the kitchen door under the mat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They walked on as if they were floating on a summer stream.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading It was Zeena’s habit, when they came back late from the village, to leave the key of the kitchen door under the mat.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading It was Zeena’s habit, when they came back late from the village, to leave the key of the kitchen door under the mat.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading It was Zeena’s habit, when they came back late from the village, to leave the key of the kitchen door under the mat.
go away from a place
From this reading It was Zeena’s habit, when they came back late from the village, to leave the key of the kitchen door under the mat.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
matnounUS /mæt/
a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
From this reading It was Zeena’s habit, when they came back late from the village, to leave the key of the kitchen door under the mat.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They walked on as if they were floating on a summer stream.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading They walked around to the back of the house, between the rigid gooseberry bushes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
shutterless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
to a small degree or extent
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
in the near future
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading They walked on as if they were floating on a summer stream.
streamernounUS /ˈstriːmər/
light that streams
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading They walked on as if they were floating on a summer stream.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
in or at that place or location
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They walked on as if they were floating on a summer stream.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
bound or secured closely
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
tumblernounUS /ˈtʌmblər/
a gymnast who performs rolls and somersaults and twists etc.
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was Zeena’s habit, when they came back late from the village, to leave the key of the kitchen door under the mat.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading It was Zeena’s habit, when they came back late from the village, to leave the key of the kitchen door under the mat.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading They walked on as if they were floating on a summer stream.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They walked on as if they were floating on a summer stream.
at the time that
From this reading It was Zeena’s habit, when they came back late from the village, to leave the key of the kitchen door under the mat.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: “If it was there for Zeena—” Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed....
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
Zeena
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zeena always went to bed as soon as she had had her supper, and the shutterless windows of the house were dark.
Zeena's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Zeena’s habit, when they came back late from the village, to leave the key of the kitchen door under the mat.
