used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
(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 Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
ashen-gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
bedeckverbUS /bɪˈdek/
decorate
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
beesnounUS /biːz/
plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
blanklyadverbUS /ˈblæŋkli/
in a blank and uncomprehending manner
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
bloomsnounUS /bluːmz/
plural of “bloom” — the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
brackennounUS /ˈbrækən/
fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
briars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
broomnounUS /bruːm/
a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
carpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
relating to or characteristic of Christianity
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
croziers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
delicatelyadverbUS /ˈdeləkətli/
in a delicate manner
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
dunnounUS /dʌn/
horse of a dull brownish grey color
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
emeraldsnounUS /ˈemrəldz/
plural of “emerald” — a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
to or in any or all places
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
the organ of sight
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
fernsnounUS /fɜːrnz/
plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
frondsnounUS /frɑːndz/
plural of “frond” — compound leaf of a fern or palm or cycad
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
furzenoun
very spiny and dense evergreen shrub with fragrant golden-yellow flowers; common throughout western Europe
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
gorsenoun
very spiny and dense evergreen shrub with fragrant golden-yellow flowers; common throughout western Europe
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
growthsnounUS /ɡroʊθs/
plural of “growth” — (biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
humverbUS /hʌm/
sing with closed lips
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
lifelessadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪfləs/
deprived of life; no longer living
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
litternounUS /ˈlɪtər/
the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
malachitenoun
a green or blue mineral used as an ore of copper and for making ornamental objects
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
moorverbUS /mʊr/
secure in or as if in a berth or dock
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
mossesnounUS /ˈmɔːsəz/
plural of “moss” — tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
odorsnounUS /ˈoʊdərz/
plural of “odor” — any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
on one occasion
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
outburstnounUS /ˈaʊtbɜːrst/
an unrestrained expression of emotion
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
uttered with a trill
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
the season of growth
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
thornsnounUS /θɔːrnz/
plural of “thorn” — something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The spring had laid upon this great rolling common a beauty of its own.
vegetationnounUS /ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃən/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
veinedadjective
having or showing markings that resemble veins
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
vernaladjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrnəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Christian realized blankly, all at once, as’ he stood and gazed out over the moor, that he did not know his way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Everywhere, on thorns and furze and briars, the touch of the new life had hung emeralds to bedeck and hide the dun waste of winter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
year'snounUS /jɪrz/
possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The brilliant yellow of broom and gorse blooms caught the eye in all directions, blazing above the vernal outburst of another year’s vegetation, and the hum of the bees in the sunlight, and the delicately mingled odors in the May air were a delight to the senses.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The ashen-gray carpets of old mosses were veined with the vivid green of young growths; out from the dry brown litter of lifeless ferns and bracken were rising the malachite croziers of fresh fronds.
