used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
affixedadjectiveUS /əˈfɪkst/
firmly attached
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
approvalnounUS /əˈpruːvəl/
the formal act of approving
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
BEETLEnounUS /ˈbiːtəl/
insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
BirchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
brooksnounUS /brʊks/
United States literary critic and historian (1886-1963)
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
camp-stool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
exemptverbUS /ɪɡˈzempt/
grant relief or an exemption from a rule or requirement to
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading His gaze, returning from the quotation, fell on Tom, who at a neighboring table was, like Nelson, writing home.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
a long fixed look
From this reading His gaze, returning from the quotation, fell on Tom, who at a neighboring table was, like Nelson, writing home.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
HASauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
hauntverbUS /hɔːnt/
follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His gaze, returning from the quotation, fell on Tom, who at a neighboring table was, like Nelson, writing home.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading His gaze, returning from the quotation, fell on Tom, who at a neighboring table was, like Nelson, writing home.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
staying power
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His gaze, returning from the quotation, fell on Tom, who at a neighboring table was, like Nelson, writing home.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
morning-glory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
neighboringadjectiveUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
From this reading His gaze, returning from the quotation, fell on Tom, who at a neighboring table was, like Nelson, writing home.
NelsonnounUS /ˈnelsən/
English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
nodverbUS /nɑːd/
express or signify by nodding
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
PENALTYnounUS /ˈpenəlti/
the act of punishing
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
literature in metrical form
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
quotationnounUS /kwoʊˈteɪʃən/
a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
From this reading His gaze, returning from the quotation, fell on Tom, who at a neighboring table was, like Nelson, writing home.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading His gaze, returning from the quotation, fell on Tom, who at a neighboring table was, like Nelson, writing home.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
SermonsnounUS /ˈsɜːrmənz/
plural of “sermon” — an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
STARTSnounUS /stɑːrts/
plural of “start” — the beginning of anything
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
tabletnounUS /ˈtæblət/
a slab of stone or wood suitable for bearing an inscription
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
male cat
From this reading His gaze, returning from the quotation, fell on Tom, who at a neighboring table was, like Nelson, writing home.
Tom'snounUS /tɑːmz/
possessive form of “tom” — male cat
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
tonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/
plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.”
twinedverbUS /twaɪnd/
past form of “twine” — spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
twines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
vinenounUS /vaɪn/
a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One of Tom’s legs was twined around the camp-stool upon which he was seated, as a morning-glory vine twines about a post.
which person or people
From this reading His gaze, returning from the quotation, fell on Tom, who at a neighboring table was, like Nelson, writing home.
in the company of; together with
From this reading STARTS OUT WITH POETRY, HAS TO DO WITH A BEETLE, AND ENDS WITH A PENALTY Nelson read with a nod of approval.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading He was sitting at the table on the porch of Birch Hall, and the lines that pleased him were burned on a wooden tablet affixed to the big stone chimney across the room.
the act of creating written works
From this reading His gaze, returning from the quotation, fell on Tom, who at a neighboring table was, like Nelson, writing home.
