used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
blindnessnounUS /ˈblaɪndnəs/
the state of being blind or lacking sight
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
burdensnounUS /ˈbɜːrdənz/
plural of “burden” — an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "There's nothing I can do," was the hopeless response.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
commencementnounUS /kəˈmensmənt/
the time at which something is supposed to begin
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
crumpledadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌmpəld/
of metal e.g.
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
dearly loved
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "There's nothing I can do," was the hopeless response.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
put on clothes
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
enduringadjectiveUS /enˈdjʊrɪŋ/
lasting a long time
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
a social unit living together
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
set up or found
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
(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 When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
harvestnounUS /ˈhɑːrvəst/
the yield from plants in a single growing season
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading "There's nothing I can do," was the hopeless response.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "There's nothing I can do," was the hopeless response.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
a single distinct event
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
Jean'snounUS /dʒiːnz/
possessive form of “jean” — a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
march in a procession
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
marshesnounUS /ˈmɑːrʃəz/
plural of “marsh” — low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
nearingverbUS /ˈnɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “near” — move towards
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "There's nothing I can do," was the hopeless response.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
phonedverbUS /foʊnd/
past form of “phone” — get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading "There's nothing I can do," was the hopeless response.
rigorsnounUS /ˈrɪɡərz/
plural of “rigor” — something hard to endure
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
seed-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
specialistnounUS /ˈspeʃələst/
an expert who is devoted to one occupation or branch of learning
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
SwampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's nothing I can do," was the hopeless response.
a special situation
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
unfoldingnounUS /ənˈfoʊldɪŋ/
a developmental process
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
precisely as stated
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
at the time that
From this reading When every growing thing was stirring into life, happy in its blindness to the rigors of seed-time and harvest and the burdens incident to its later family life, Mary found that her battle was nearing the end.
willow-buds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
wiltedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪltɪd/
(of plants) limp due to heat, loss of water, or disease
From this reading But one day she crumpled up like a wilted leaf over a dress she was making for Jean's commencement, and Billy put her to bed and 'phoned the specialist.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the unfolding of the willow-buds at the edge of the marshes, and the high, warm sun piercing the March winds, came a change to the Swamp Farm.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The world was very dear to her too; the oldest and most enduring of human hopes, the possibilities of her children, was beginning to promise the things she had dreamed of--and she wanted to live.
