used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
at or in the front
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SPRING AND THE CHILDREN.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading He liked to feel the bones of the rocks warming through, as the sun rose higher, and the yellow beams grew stronger.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading He liked to feel the bones of the rocks warming through, as the sun rose higher, and the yellow beams grew stronger.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading SPRING AND THE CHILDREN.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading He liked to feel the bones of the rocks warming through, as the sun rose higher, and the yellow beams grew stronger.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
Giles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
the act of departing
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading He liked to feel the bones of the rocks warming through, as the sun rose higher, and the yellow beams grew stronger.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
HeronnounUS /ˈherən/
Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading He liked to feel the bones of the rocks warming through, as the sun rose higher, and the yellow beams grew stronger.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
homelikeadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmlaɪk/
having a feeling of home; cozy and comfortable
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
immediately past
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading He liked to feel the bones of the rocks warming through, as the sun rose higher, and the yellow beams grew stronger.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading He liked to feel the bones of the rocks warming through, as the sun rose higher, and the yellow beams grew stronger.
russetnounUS /ˈrʌsɪt/
a reddish brown homespun fabric
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
the season of growth
From this reading SPRING AND THE CHILDREN.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He liked to feel the bones of the rocks warming through, as the sun rose higher, and the yellow beams grew stronger.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading He liked to feel the bones of the rocks warming through, as the sun rose higher, and the yellow beams grew stronger.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SPRING AND THE CHILDREN.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
twas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading SPRING came at last, waking slowly, as it does on the rocks out at sea.
warmingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːrmɪŋ/
imparting heat
From this reading He liked to feel the bones of the rocks warming through, as the sun rose higher, and the yellow beams grew stronger.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Giles Heron, from his doorway, watched the green creeping slowly through the dry, russet grass, and felt a faint stirring at his heart; this was his last spring on the pleasant earth, and he could think of nothing homelike that he might look forward to.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading God was good, probably, and ’twas likely things were going as they should; but it looked cold and dark ahead.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading He liked to feel the bones of the rocks warming through, as the sun rose higher, and the yellow beams grew stronger.
