used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
abstruseadjectiveUS /əbˈstruːs/
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
affectionatelyadverbUS /əˈfekʃənətli/
with affection
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
(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 TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
any person at all
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
artsnounUS /ɑːrts/
studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
dearly loved
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
Elvey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
furtivelyadverbUS /ˈfɜːrtɪvli/
in a furtive manner
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
gapingadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
gummed-down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
handledadjectiveUS /ˈhændəld/
having a usually specified type of handle
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
herbariumnounUS /hərˈberiːəm/
a collection of dried plants that are mounted and systematically classified for study
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
languagesnounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒəz/
plural of “language” — a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
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 TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
used to form the superlative
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
politenessnounUS /pəˈlaɪtnəs/
a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
sciencesnounUS /ˈsaɪənsəz/
plural of “science” — a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
SPECIMENSnounUS /ˈspesəmənz/
plural of “specimen” — an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
male cat
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
TOM'SnounUS /tɑːmz/
possessive form of “tom” — male cat
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
the act of using
From this reading TOM'S SPECIMENS "The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use."
precisely as stated
From this reading "VERY pretty," said Ethel, gaping furtively behind one hand, as she gazed upon the open page of Tom Elvey's beloved companion, a neat herbarium of dried flowers and leaves.
viewedverbUS /vjuːd/
past form of “view” — deem to be
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The cover of the volume was dark brown, the pages were light brown, and most of the gummed-down specimens were of a more or less dirty brown.
at the time that
From this reading That anybody should care for dead brown leaves, when living green ones were to be had, was a mystery to her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Tom handled his treasure affectionately, and Ethel viewed each new page with outward politeness and inward wonder.
