used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
(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 JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Aunt 'Mira and Janice had been busy since light.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Aunt 'Mira and Janice had been busy since light.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
bloomnounUS /bluːm/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
budsnounUS /bʌdz/
plural of “bud” — a partially opened flower
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
bushnounUS /bʊʃ/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Aunt 'Mira and Janice had been busy since light.
catkinsnounUS /ˈkætkənz/
plural of “catkin” — a cylindrical spikelike inflorescence
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
cleanedverbUS /kliːnd/
past form of “clean” — make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
cloudedadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdɪd/
made troubled or apprehensive or distressed in appearance
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
coaxedverbUS /koʊkst/
past form of “coax” — influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
divisible by two
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
expandedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspændəd/
increased in extent or size or bulk or scope
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
givin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
an established custom
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Aunt 'Mira and Janice had been busy since light.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
irresponsibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪrəˈspɑːnsəbəl/
showing lack of care for consequences
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
Janice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt 'Mira and Janice had been busy since light.
and nothing more
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
lickverbUS /lɪk/
beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Aunt 'Mira and Janice had been busy since light.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
lilacnounUS /ˈlaɪlæk/
any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
manifestverbUS /ˈmænəfest/
provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
Mira
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt 'Mira and Janice had been busy since light.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
naughtyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːti/
suggestive of sexual impropriety
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
nowadaysnounUS /ˈnaʊədeɪz/
the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
showersnounUS /ˈʃaʊərz/
plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Aunt 'Mira and Janice had been busy since light.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was a special occasion; one could easily guess that from the bustle manifest about the place.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
warmedadjectiveUS /wɔːrmd/
having been warmed up
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading JUST HOW IT ALL BEGAN It was one of those soft, irresponsible days of April.
inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
at the time that
From this reading Mrs Day was not in the habit of "givin' things a lick and a promise" nowadays when she cleaned house.
but in spite of that
From this reading The heavens clouded up and wept like a naughty child upon the least pretext; yet between the showers the sun warmed the glad earth, and coaxed the catkins into bloom, and even expanded the first buds of the huge lilac bush at the corner of the Day house.
