used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
anew
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
Ainslee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
(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 Nan stayed through it all.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
bluebirdsnounUS /ˈbluːbɜːrdz/
plural of “bluebird” — fruit-eating mostly brilliant blue songbird of the East Indies
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
bluesnounUS /bluːz/
a type of folksong that originated among Black Americans at the beginning of the 20th century; has a melancholy sound from repeated use of blue notes
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
bowersnounUS /ˈbaʊərz/
plural of “bower” — a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
dartingverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
dimpling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
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 HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
forgivenessnounUS /fərˈɡɪvnəs/
compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
furrowedadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːroʊd/
having long narrow shallow depressions (as grooves or wrinkles) in the surface
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
coins made of gold
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
greensnounUS /ɡriːnz/
any of various leafy plants or their leaves and stems eaten as vegetables
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
homecomingnounUS /ˈhoʊmkʌmɪŋ/
an annual school or university reunion for graduates
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
leafyadjectiveUS /ˈliːfi/
having or covered with leaves
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
mustardnounUS /ˈmʌstərd/
any of several cruciferous plants of the genus Brassica
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
NannynounUS /ˈnæni/
a woman who is the custodian of children
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
pleadedverbUS /ˈpliːdɪd/
past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
ploughedadjectiveUS /plaʊd/
(of farmland) broken and turned over with a plow
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
ripplingnounUS /ˈrɪpəlɪŋ/
a small wave on the surface of a liquid
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
ScrantonnounUS /ˈskræntən/
an industrial city of northeastern Pennsylvania
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
move stealthily
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
the season of growth
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Nan stayed through it all.
the rays of the sun
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
treasuredadjectiveUS /ˈtreʒərd/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A week after her arrival in Scranton the old aunt had been taken sick, and it was months before the old soul was herself again.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the bluebirds were darting through leafy bowers and the ploughed, furrowed fields lay smoking in the spring sunshine before Nan came back.
at the time that
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
in or at the place that
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But the day came when she was free to go back to the little home town where the cloud shadows were rippling over low, dimpling hills, already gay with the gold of wild mustard and the tender blues and greens of a new glad spring.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading HOME AGAIN It had pleaded for forgiveness and an early homecoming, that little yellow slip that Nanny Ainslee treasured so.
