Chapter XVI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

later than; following

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

wood of any of various alder trees; resistant to underwater rot; used for bridges etc

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

(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 Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

in addition

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

plural of “daffodil” — any of numerous varieties of Narcissus plants having showy often yellow flowers with a trumpet-shaped central crown

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

lively and spirited

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

dearly loved

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

third-person singular of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

having or deserving or conferring glory

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was a year since the Watsons had obtained possession of their little property.

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

plural of “hedge” — a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a year since the Watsons had obtained possession of their little property.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

plural of “lark” — North American songbirds having a yellow breast

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was a year since the Watsons had obtained possession of their little property.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading It was a year since the Watsons had obtained possession of their little property.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading It was a year since the Watsons had obtained possession of their little property.

any of numerous short-stemmed plants of the genus Primula having tufted basal leaves and showy flowers clustered in umbels or heads

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading It was a year since the Watsons had obtained possession of their little property.

goddess of the underworld; counterpart of Greek Persephone

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

plural of “shoot” — a new branch

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It was a year since the Watsons had obtained possession of their little property.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

in a spiritual manner

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

the season of growth

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was a year since the Watsons had obtained possession of their little property.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

very small

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

a series of chirps

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

without awareness

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To them all it had been a glad, golden, glorious year, full of fresh interests, new awakenings, and hitherto undreamed-of experiences.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was a year since the Watsons had obtained possession of their little property.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a year since the Watsons had obtained possession of their little property.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

at the time that

From this reading Under the Pines When spring came, bringing daffodils in the orchard, and primrose stars under the alder bushes in the meadow, and tiny green shoots on the hedges, and singing of larks and cawing of jackdaws and twitter of linnets, and all the other dear delights of the "return of Proserpine", Walden also celebrated a birthday.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

past form of “widen” — become broader or wider or more extensive

From this reading They had been living spiritually on a far higher plane; almost unconsciously the influence of hills and wide skies and dashing waters had passed into their lives and widened them.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading It was a year since the Watsons had obtained possession of their little property.

a late time of life

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading So much of what we are in our after years depends on the standard of happiness we form when we are quite young.