used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
BeatricenounUS /ˈbiːətrəs/
the woman who guided Dante through Paradise in the Divine Comedy
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
fearless and daring
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
cindersnounUS /ˈsɪndərz/
plural of “cinder” — a fragment of incombustible matter left after a wood or coal or charcoal fire
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
clods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
Devine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
dust-cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
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 Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
grainnounUS /ɡreɪn/
a relatively small granular particle of a substance
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
greasenounUS /ɡriːs/
a thick fatty oil (especially one used to lubricate machinery)
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
HardingnounUS /ˈhɑːrdɪŋ/
29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
harrows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
the force of workers available
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
NorthwestnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθwest/
the northwestern region of the United States
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
overallsnounUS /ˈoʊvərɔːlz/
plural of “overall” — (usually plural) work clothing consisting of denim trousers (usually with a bib and shoulder straps)
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
plowedadjectiveUS /plaʊd/
(of farmland) broken and turned over with a plow
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/
a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
regulatingnounUS /ˈreɡjəleɪtɪŋ/
the act of controlling or directing according to rule
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
seedbednoun
a bed where seedlings are grown before transplanting
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
sootyadjectiveUS /ˈsuːti/
of the blackest black; similar to the color of jet or coal
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
sownadjectiveUS /soʊn/
sprinkled with seed
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
the season of growth
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
stainedadjectiveUS /steɪnd/
marked or dyed or discolored with foreign matter
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
sunrisenounUS /ˈsʌnraɪz/
the first light of day
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Spring comes suddenly in the Northwest, the summer is hot but short, and the grain must be sown early if it is to escape the autumn frost.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Behind him Devine stood in the midst of a dust-cloud, regulating the bite of the harrows that tossed about the hard, dry clods.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading It was good weather for preparing the seedbed, and the men had been busy since sunrise, making the most of it.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His face was sooty, his overalls were stained with grease, and now and then a shower of cinders fell about his head.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A BOLD SCHEME One morning a week or two after his meeting with Beatrice, Harding drove his rattling engine across the plowed land.
