used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
(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 She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
Appleyard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
brighteradjectiveUS /ˈbraɪtər/
comparative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
CLUEnounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
crescentnounUS /ˈkresənt/
any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
Criffell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
fadingnounUS /ˈfeɪdɪŋ/
weakening in force or intensity
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
firsnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
the act of departing
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
homewardadverbUS /ˈhoʊmwərd/
toward home
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
MassesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
mountain'snounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/
possessive form of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
slopingadjectiveUS /ˈsloʊpɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
southwestnounUS /ˌsaʊˈθwest/
the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
not in physical motion
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
stragglingadjective
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
tidesnounUS /taɪdz/
plural of “tide” — the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
tingedverbUS /tɪŋd/
past form of “tinge” — affect as in thought or feeling
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She had been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she felt that a shadow rested upon the house.
vacantlyadverb
in a vacant manner
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
violetnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A CLUE There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading.
at the time that
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Masses of soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, for the tides run fast when the moon is young.
