used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
besomnoun
a broom made of twigs tied together on a long handle
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading The underground path to De Chaumont's manor descended by terraces of steps and entered blackness.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The ground was slippery, and thick darkness seemed to press the soul out of the body.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The underground path to De Chaumont's manor descended by terraces of steps and entered blackness.
Chaumont's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The underground path to De Chaumont's manor descended by terraces of steps and entered blackness.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The ground was slippery, and thick darkness seemed to press the soul out of the body.
the first light of day
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading The underground path to De Chaumont's manor descended by terraces of steps and entered blackness.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The underground path to De Chaumont's manor descended by terraces of steps and entered blackness.
apart from; not including
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
Ferrier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The ground was slippery, and thick darkness seemed to press the soul out of the body.
hearkening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
insect-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
manornounUS /ˈmænər/
the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
From this reading The underground path to De Chaumont's manor descended by terraces of steps and entered blackness.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
odornounUS /ˈoʊdər/
any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The ground was slippery, and thick darkness seemed to press the soul out of the body.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
a course of conduct
From this reading The underground path to De Chaumont's manor descended by terraces of steps and entered blackness.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading The ground was slippery, and thick darkness seemed to press the soul out of the body.
primrosenounUS /ˈprɪmroʊz/
any of numerous short-stemmed plants of the genus Primula having tufted basal leaves and showy flowers clustered in umbels or heads
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
rattlesnakenounUS /ˈrætəlsneɪk/
pit viper with horny segments at the end of the tail that rattle when shaken
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The ground was slippery, and thick darkness seemed to press the soul out of the body.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading The ground was slippery, and thick darkness seemed to press the soul out of the body.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading The ground was slippery, and thick darkness seemed to press the soul out of the body.
spiralsnounUS /ˈspaɪrəlz/
plural of “spiral” — a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
the season of growth
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The underground path to De Chaumont's manor descended by terraces of steps and entered blackness.
not in physical motion
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
sunrisenounUS /ˈsʌnraɪz/
the first light of day
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
possessing sweep
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
terracesnounUS /ˈterəsəz/
plural of “terrace” — usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading The underground path to De Chaumont's manor descended by terraces of steps and entered blackness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading The ground was slippery, and thick darkness seemed to press the soul out of the body.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
having come into contact
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
tunnel'snounUS /ˈtʌnəlz/
possessive form of “tunnel” — a passageway through or under something, usually underground (especially one for trains or cars)
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
undergroundadjectiveUS /ˈʌndərɡraʊnd/
under the level of the ground
From this reading The underground path to De Chaumont's manor descended by terraces of steps and entered blackness.
unwoundverbUS /ənˈwaʊnd/
inflected form of “unwind” — reverse the winding or twisting of
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
migratory
From this reading WANDERING I A primrose dawn of spring touched the mountains as Madame de Ferrier and I stepped into the tunnel's mouth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The ground was slippery, and thick darkness seemed to press the soul out of the body.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind that goes like a besom before sunrise, swept off the fog to corners of the sky, except a few spirals which still unwound from the lake.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A rank odor of earth filled it; and I never passed that way without hearkening for the insect-like song of the rattlesnake.