adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
accompaniedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌmpənid/
having companions or an escort
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
actuallyadverbUS /ˈæktʃuːəli/
in actual fact
From this reading And the grasshoppers actually seem to chirp more loudly, to celebrate the return of the sunlight.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And the grasshoppers actually seem to chirp more loudly, to celebrate the return of the sunlight.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
ascendingadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/
moving or going or growing upward
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
bleating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
ceasesnounUS /ˈsiːsɪz/
plural of “cease” — (“cease” is a noun only in the phrase “without cease”) end
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
celebrateverbUS /ˈseləbreɪt/
behave as expected during of holidays or rites
From this reading And the grasshoppers actually seem to chirp more loudly, to celebrate the return of the sunlight.
cheerfuladjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪrfəl/
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
chirpverbUS /tʃɜːrp/
make high-pitched sounds
From this reading And the grasshoppers actually seem to chirp more loudly, to celebrate the return of the sunlight.
clappernounUS /ˈklæpər/
someone who applauds
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
clappingnounUS /ˈklæpɪŋ/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
cocksnounUS /kɑːks/
plural of “cock” — obscene terms for penis
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
continuesverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːz/
third-person singular of “continue” — continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
crowingnounUS /ˈkroʊɪŋ/
an instance of boastful talk
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
cryverbUS /kraɪ/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
dawnnounUS /dɔːn/
the first light of day
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
deliriousadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪriəs/
experiencing delirium
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
discsnounUS /dɪsks/
plural of “disc” — sound recording consisting of a disk with a continuous groove; used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracks in the groove
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
dronesnounUS /droʊnz/
plural of “drone” — stingless male bee in a colony of social bees (especially honeybees) whose sole function is to mate with the queen
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
dryadjectiveUS /draɪ/
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
earsnounUS /ɪrz/
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
flownounUS /floʊ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
fountainnounUS /ˈfaʊntən/
a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
fruit-seller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
goatnounUS /ɡoʊt/
any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
grasshoppersnounUS /ˈɡræshɑːpərz/
plural of “grasshopper” — terrestrial plant-eating insect with hind legs adapted for leaping
From this reading And the grasshoppers actually seem to chirp more loudly, to celebrate the return of the sunlight.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
inattentiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəˈtentɪv/
showing a lack of attention or care
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
keynounUS /kiː/
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
lastsnounUS /læsts/
plural of “last” — the temporal end; the concluding time
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
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 It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
listeningnounUS /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading And the grasshoppers actually seem to chirp more loudly, to celebrate the return of the sunlight.
MADAMEnounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
mandragoranoun
a genus of stemless herbs of the family Solanaceae
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
MoreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
nasaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪzəl/
of or in or relating to the nose
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
panelsnounUS /ˈpænəlz/
plural of “panel” — sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
patrollingverbUS /pəˈtroʊlɪŋ/
inflected form of “patrol” — maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
plashverb
interlace the shoots of
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
prayernounUS /prer/
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
PRAYERFULadjectiveUS /ˈprerfəl/
disposed to pray or appearing to pray
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
prayersnounUS /prerz/
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
PRUNEverbUS /pruːn/
cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
Prune's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
quartersnounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərz/
housing available for people to live in
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
quaveringadjectiveUS /ˈkweɪvərɪŋ/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
regularadjectiveUS /ˈreɡjələr/
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading And the grasshoppers actually seem to chirp more loudly, to celebrate the return of the sunlight.
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
rollersnounUS /ˈroʊlərz/
plural of “roller” — a grounder that rolls along the infield
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
rootnounUS /ruːt/
(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading And the grasshoppers actually seem to chirp more loudly, to celebrate the return of the sunlight.
slidingadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪdɪŋ/
being a smooth continuous motion
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
somnambulistnoun
someone who walks about in their sleep
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
songnounUS /sɔːŋ/
a short musical composition with words
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/
affording physical relief
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
soundsnounUS /saʊndz/
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
spiritsnounUS /ˈspɪrɪts/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
stoppingnounUS /ˈstɑːpɪŋ/
fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
streamnounUS /striːm/
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
suburbnounUS /ˈsʌbərb/
a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
sunlightnounUS /ˈsʌnlaɪt/
the rays of the sun
From this reading And the grasshoppers actually seem to chirp more loudly, to celebrate the return of the sunlight.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Above all, rises to our ears from below the sound of Madame Prune's long prayers, ascending through the floor, monotonous as the song of a somnambulist, regular and soothing as the plash of a fountain.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And the grasshoppers actually seem to chirp more loudly, to celebrate the return of the sunlight.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
uninterruptedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪntərˈʌptɪd/
having undisturbed continuity
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It is an uninterrupted stream of prayer; its flow never ceases, and the quavering continues without stopping, like the bleating of a delirious old goat.
woodenadjectiveUS /ˈwʊdən/
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading THE PRAYERFUL MADAME PRUNE More cheerful are the sounds of morning: the cocks crowing, the wooden panels all around the neighborhood sliding back upon their rollers; or the strange cry of some fruit-seller, patrolling our lofty suburb in the early dawn.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading It lasts three quarters of an hour at least, it drones along, a rapid flow of words in a high nasal key; from time to time, when the inattentive spirits are not listening, it is accompanied by a clapping of dry palms, or by harsh sounds from a kind of wooden clapper made of two discs of mandragora root.
