Chapter VI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading "'TIS A SIREN."

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

(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 All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

for the reason that

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

plural of “blossom” — reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

plural of “breeze” — a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

noisy like the sound of a bee

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

half asleep

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

an early limited awareness of something yet to occur

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

pleasant-smelling

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

destroyed or killed

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

terrestrial plant-eating insect with hind legs adapted for leaping

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

a humming noise

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

in a softened tone

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

no longer active or practicing

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

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 And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

not one, and not any

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

the middle of the day

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

and nothing more

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

serving to bring to mind

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

put or confide something in a person or thing

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

possessive form of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

a sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived

From this reading "'TIS A SIREN."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

the season of growth

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

past form of “still” — make calm or still

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

successive (without a break)

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading "'TIS A SIREN."

relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

not leased to or occupied by a tenant

From this reading And so the long golden morning hours rolled on, and the garden remained untenanted.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

at the time that

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.

a Caucasian

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sun fell in straight, level rays that were warm with a foretaste of tropical heat; far away in the distance a faint silver line marked the sea's limits, across which now and then a white sail flashed and was gone.

bird with strong claws and a stiff tail adapted for climbing and a hard chisel-like bill for boring into wood for insects

From this reading All nature lay hushed and stilled in that strange peace that comes at the day's meridian, when the only sounds are those of the under-world, the drowsy humming of an early humble-bee, the impatient buzzing of a giant-fly, the bu-bu of multitudinous insects, the chip-chip of the grasshopper, broken sharply across by the monotonous hammer of the woodpecker.

inclined to yield to argument or influence or control

From this reading The sweet spring flowers--than which none are more beautiful and fragrant, because so redolent of promise--wasted their perfume on the gentle breezes that swayed their yielding blossoms; the birds' song grew hushed and lapsed into silence as the repose of noontide settled down upon them.