used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
bindverbUS /baɪnd/
stick to firmly
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
rid of obstructions
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
cooingverbUS /ˈkuːɪŋ/
-ing form of “coo” — speak softly or lovingly
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
dancersnounUS /ˈdænsərz/
plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "_Not unto the forest, O my lover, O my lover, do not lead me to the forest.
downyadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊni/
like down or as soft as down
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
DrumsnounUS /drʌmz/
plural of “drum” — a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
echoingadjectiveUS /ˈekoʊɪŋ/
(of sounds) repeating by reflection
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
featherverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading "_Not unto the forest, O my lover, O my lover, do not lead me to the forest.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
the sound of laughing
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading "_Not unto the forest, O my lover, O my lover, do not lead me to the forest.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading "_Not unto the forest, O my lover, O my lover, do not lead me to the forest.
lyres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "_Not unto the forest, O my lover, O my lover, do not lead me to the forest.
mimicrynounUS /ˈmɪmɪkri/
the act of mimicking; imitative behavior
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
mischievousadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstʃəvəs/
naughtily or annoyingly playful
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "_Not unto the forest, O my lover, O my lover, do not lead me to the forest.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "_Not unto the forest, O my lover, O my lover, do not lead me to the forest.
nymphnounUS /nɪmf/
(classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading "_Not unto the forest, O my lover, O my lover, do not lead me to the forest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
paddingnounUS /ˈpædɪŋ/
artifact consisting of soft or resilient material used to fill or give shape or protect or add comfort
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
with low volume
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
rose-boughs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
saffronnounUS /ˈsæfrən/
Old World crocus having purple or white flowers with aromatic pungent orange stigmas used in flavoring food
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
swan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "_Not unto the forest, O my lover, O my lover, do not lead me to the forest.
thornyadjectiveUS /ˈθɔːrni/
bristling with perplexities
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "_Not unto the forest, O my lover, O my lover, do not lead me to the forest.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
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 As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/
an old word for “to”
From this reading "_Not unto the forest, O my lover, O my lover, do not lead me to the forest.
vinesnounUS /vaɪnz/
plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
viols
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading As if the feather padding of the road had muffled the engine, the car cut along quietly as a boat, but the clear, cooing tones of the girl's voice carried far, and her laughter echoed back from the trees like the mimicry of some mischievous nymph.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
in or at the place that
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
a Caucasian
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Joy is where the temples are, lines of dancers swinging far, Drums and lyres and viols in the town, And the flapping leaves would blind me, and the clinging vines would bind me, And the thorny rose-boughs tear my saffron gown.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I will love you by the light, and the beat of drums at night, And the echoing of laughter in my ears, But I fear the forest._" --_Greek Folk Song._ It was Christmas Eve.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A soft, light snow had left the country white and downy as a young swan's breast.
