used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
apologeticallyadverbUS /əˌpɑːləˈdʒetɪkliː/
in an apologetic manner
From this reading 'If so be the kettle's boiling,' she said apologetically.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
aroused or activated
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading 'If so be the kettle's boiling,' she said apologetically.
beernounUS /bɪr/
a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
From this reading Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered.
boilingnounUS /ˈbɔɪlɪŋ/
the application of heat to change something from a liquid to a gas
From this reading 'If so be the kettle's boiling,' she said apologetically.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Hazel had a woman's craving for tea.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
cravingnounUS /ˈkreɪvɪŋ/
an intense desire for some particular thing
From this reading But Hazel had a woman's craving for tea.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
EarlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
finchnounUS /fɪntʃ/
any of numerous small songbirds with short stout bills adapted for crushing seeds
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But Hazel had a woman's craving for tea.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But Hazel had a woman's craving for tea.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
HazeladjectiveUS /ˈheɪzəl/
of a light brown or yellowish brown color
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading 'If so be the kettle's boiling,' she said apologetically.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
kettle's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'If so be the kettle's boiling,' she said apologetically.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
micenounUS /maɪs/
plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
not in physical motion
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
mugnounUS /mʌɡ/
the quantity that can be held in a mug
From this reading Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
oaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
pintnounUS /paɪnt/
a British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 4 gills or 568.26 cubic centimeters
From this reading Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered.
profferedverbUS /ˈprɑːfərd/
past form of “proffer” — present for acceptance or rejection
From this reading Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'If so be the kettle's boiling,' she said apologetically.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading 'If so be the kettle's boiling,' she said apologetically.
squirrelnounUS /ˈskwɜːrəl/
a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail
From this reading She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves.
not in physical motion
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading But Hazel had a woman's craving for tea.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered.
Vessons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading But Hazel had a woman's craving for tea.
