used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
lacking funds
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
broodedverbUS /ˈbruːdɪd/
past form of “brood” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
cawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
CHIDDINGLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was Midsummer Day—a day of unbroken sunshine and excessive heat.
dining-hallnoun
a large room at a college or university; used especially for dining
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
droopedverbUS /druːpt/
past form of “droop” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
enshroudedverbUS /ɪnˈʃraʊdəd/
past form of “enshroud” — cover as if with a shroud
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
excessiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsesɪv/
beyond normal limits
From this reading It was Midsummer Day—a day of unbroken sunshine and excessive heat.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
filteredverbUS /ˈfɪltərd/
past form of “filter” — remove by passing through a filter
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading It was Midsummer Day—a day of unbroken sunshine and excessive heat.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Midsummer Day—a day of unbroken sunshine and excessive heat.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
the production of eggs (especially in birds)
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
maidsnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
MidsummernounUS /ˈmɪdˈsʌmər/
June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point
From this reading It was Midsummer Day—a day of unbroken sunshine and excessive heat.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
parchedadjectiveUS /pɑːrtʃt/
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
refreshingadjectiveUS /rɪˈfreʃɪŋ/
imparting vitality and energy
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/
restored to a new condition
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
revivedadjectiveUS /rɪˈvaɪvd/
restored to consciousness or life or vigor
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
rookerynoun
a breeding ground for gregarious birds (such as rooks)
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
rooksnounUS /rʊks/
plural of “rook” — (chess) the piece that can move any number of unoccupied squares in a direction parallel to the sides of the chessboard
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
spangledadjectiveUS /ˈspæŋɡəld/
covered with beads or jewels or sequins
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
stone-mullioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
the rays of the sun
From this reading It was Midsummer Day—a day of unbroken sunshine and excessive heat.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
SussexnounUS /ˈsʌsɪks/
a county in southern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom that was captured by Wessex in the 9th century
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
sweetlyadverbUS /ˈswiːtli/
in an affectionate or loving manner (“sweet” is sometimes a poetic or informal variant of “sweetly”)
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
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 CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
TudornounUS /ˈtuːdər/
an English dynasty descended from Henry Tudor; Tudor monarchs ruled from Henry VII to Elizabeth I (from 1485 to 1603)
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
unbrokenadjectiveUS /ənˈbroʊkən/
marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence
From this reading It was Midsummer Day—a day of unbroken sunshine and excessive heat.
velvetyadjectiveUS /ˈvelvəti/
smooth and soft to sight or hearing or touch or taste
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading CHIDDINGLY PLACE The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which enshrouded Chiddingly Place.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
wide-spreading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
wingedadjectiveUS /wɪŋd/
having wings or as if having wings of a specified kind
From this reading The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their drooped heads with renewed life.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged in laying the supper for which they were more than ready.
