used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A quite indescribable one, too!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
on the far side of; further than
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It has certainly been the most extraordinary holiday of my life.
chalknounUS /tʃɔːk/
A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
ChannelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
cliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
downsnounUS /daʊnz/
plural of “down” — soft fine feathers
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading It has certainly been the most extraordinary holiday of my life.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
flintnounUS /flɪnt/
a hard kind of stone; a form of silica more opaque than chalcedony
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
glimpsesnounUS /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/
plural of “glimpse” — a quick look
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It has certainly been the most extraordinary holiday of my life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
HOLIDAYnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪ/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
indescribableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading A quite indescribable one, too!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It has certainly been the most extraordinary holiday of my life.
jumblenounUS /ˈdʒʌmbəl/
a confused multitude of things
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It has certainly been the most extraordinary holiday of my life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
made-upadjective
having been paved
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It has certainly been the most extraordinary holiday of my life.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It has certainly been the most extraordinary holiday of my life.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It has certainly been the most extraordinary holiday of my life.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A quite indescribable one, too!
To move from a closed position.
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
patchnounUS /pætʃ/
a small contrasting part of something
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
patrolledverbUS /pəˈtroʊld/
inflected form of “patrol” — maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
pierrotnoun
a male character in French pantomime; usually dressed in white with a whitened face
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
poppiesnounUS /ˈpɑːpiz/
plural of “poppy” — annual or biennial or perennial herbs having showy flowers
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading A quite indescribable one, too!
RefugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
uttered with a trill
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
silver-greyadjective
of grey resembling silver
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
stayingverbUS /ˈsteɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
not in physical motion
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
strewnverbUS /struːn/
inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
sun-lit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading A quite indescribable one, too!
make an effort or attempt
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
wastesnounUS /weɪsts/
plural of “waste” — any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE CROWDED HOLIDAY WE have now been staying for two crowded days at the "Refuge."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
at the time that
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
a Caucasian
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
wildestadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪldɪst/
superlative of “wild” — marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There's a background of sun-lit, open country, wide blue sky patrolled by rolling white clouds, green downs strewn with loose flint, chalk wastes on which a patch of scarlet poppies stands out like a made-up mouth on a dead white face of a pierrot, glimpses of pale cliff beyond the downs, and of silver-grey Channel further still.
the words that are spoken
From this reading For when I try to put down in words my impression of what has been happening, I find in my mind nothing but the wildest jumble of things.
