used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
in the past
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
Alec
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
Alec's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
(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 The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
Beffling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
cagenounUS /keɪdʒ/
an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
a social unit living together
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
inquireverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/
address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IS IT TOO LATE?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IS IT TOO LATE?
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading IS IT TOO LATE?
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
take the midday meal
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
poorlyadverbUS /ˈpuːrli/
(“ill” is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
pouringadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
flowing profusely
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
ruddyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌdi/
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
senselessadjectiveUS /ˈsensləs/
not marked by the use of reason
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading IS IT TOO LATE?
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
verandahnoun
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
Wandaroo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Breakfast was over two hours ago, and Mrs. Beffling was already coming to inquire "whether the poorly gentlemen were ready for a little lunch."
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The room was full of pleasant sounds of life and happy talking, for now that Alec, his brown face ruddy with the glow of the sun, came in through the window, all the family was assembled.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The sun was stealing into the room through the half drawn curtains of the open windows, the scent of the garden flowers was in the morning air, and from his cage in the verandah a bird was pouring out its heart in song.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the morning of the second day after Alec's return to Wandaroo with his senseless burden in his arms.
