used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But Granny’s room, always cosy, was cosiest when the outside world was bleakest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
with anger
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
bleakestadjectiveUS /ˈbliːkəst/
superlative of “bleak” — offering little or no hope
From this reading But Granny’s room, always cosy, was cosiest when the outside world was bleakest.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
boughsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
without doubt or question
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
cosiest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Granny’s room, always cosy, was cosiest when the outside world was bleakest.
cosynounUS /ˈkoʊzi/
a padded cloth covering to keep a teapot warm
From this reading But Granny’s room, always cosy, was cosiest when the outside world was bleakest.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
cushionnounUS /ˈkʊʃən/
a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
drainverbUS /dreɪn/
flow off gradually
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
drummedverbUS /drʌmd/
inflected form of “drum” — make a rhythmic sound
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
furthermoreadverbUS /ˈfɜːrðərmɔːr/
in addition
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
gaudyadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːdi/
tastelessly showy
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
Granny's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
gushedverbUS /ɡʌʃt/
past form of “gush” — gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
and nothing more
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading But Granny’s room, always cosy, was cosiest when the outside world was bleakest.
patteredverbUS /ˈpætərd/
past form of “patter” — rain gently
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
perceptiblyadverb
in a noticeable manner
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
pipesnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
proppedverbUS /prɑːpt/
inflected form of “prop” — support by placing against something solid or rigid
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
shorteradjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtər/
comparative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
starkadjectiveUS /stɑːrk/
devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
not in physical motion
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
stomachnounUS /ˈstʌmək/
an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/
having only essential or minimal features
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
stubbornadjectiveUS /ˈstʌbərn/
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
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 A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
twigverbUS /twɪɡ/
branch out in a twiglike manner
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
waningnounUS /ˈweɪnɪŋ/
a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The light was already waning, for the days were growing perceptibly shorter, and furthermore the afternoon had been dark and stormy.
at the time that
From this reading But Granny’s room, always cosy, was cosiest when the outside world was bleakest.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
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 A driving autumn rain pattered steadily against the window, drummed on the roof, gushed from the drain pipes, and angrily stripped the branches of the trees of their gaudy foliage.
window-seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane lay on her stomach, stretched out comfortably on the window-seat in Granny’s room, her elbows propped on a cushion, her chin in her hands and a book open on another cushion.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading But Granny’s room, always cosy, was cosiest when the outside world was bleakest.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Now, only the stark black boughs creaked in the wind; here and there one stubborn brown leaf still clung to a twig, but you could see the whole lead grey sky clearly, and the irregular outlines of glistening roofs.
