used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
alertlyadverbUS /əˈlɜːrtli/
in mentally perceptive and responsive way
From this reading I heard Colin moving in the next room, and presently we were down-stairs, alertly hungry.
(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 Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Our hostess, with morning smile, asked if we would mind waiting breakfast for "the boarders."
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
barnsnounUS /bɑːrnz/
plural of “barn” — an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
boardersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “boarder” — a tenant in someone's house
From this reading Our hostess, with morning smile, asked if we would mind waiting breakfast for "the boarders."
bodilyadverbUS /ˈbɑːdəli/
in bodily form
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Our hostess, with morning smile, asked if we would mind waiting breakfast for "the boarders."
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
cathedral-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
cobble-stones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
Colin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I heard Colin moving in the next room, and presently we were down-stairs, alertly hungry.
coughedverbUS /kɔːft/
past form of “cough” — exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
down-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I heard Colin moving in the next room, and presently we were down-stairs, alertly hungry.
echoingadjectiveUS /ˈekoʊɪŋ/
(of sounds) repeating by reflection
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
farm-yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
farmhousesnounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊsəz/
plural of “farmhouse” — house for a farmer and family
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
flashingnounUS /ˈflæʃɪŋ/
a short vivid experience
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
graynessnoun
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
hailedverbUS /heɪld/
past form of “hail” — praise vociferously
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
handfulnounUS /ˈhændfʊl/
a small number or amount
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading I heard Colin moving in the next room, and presently we were down-stairs, alertly hungry.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading Our hostess, with morning smile, asked if we would mind waiting breakfast for "the boarders."
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading I heard Colin moving in the next room, and presently we were down-stairs, alertly hungry.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Our hostess, with morning smile, asked if we would mind waiting breakfast for "the boarders."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
provided with artificial light
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
loomingverbUS /ˈluːmɪŋ/
-ing form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Our hostess, with morning smile, asked if we would mind waiting breakfast for "the boarders."
a particular point in time
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
in motion
From this reading I heard Colin moving in the next room, and presently we were down-stairs, alertly hungry.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading I heard Colin moving in the next room, and presently we were down-stairs, alertly hungry.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our hostess, with morning smile, asked if we would mind waiting breakfast for "the boarders."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
in the near future
From this reading I heard Colin moving in the next room, and presently we were down-stairs, alertly hungry.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading I heard Colin moving in the next room, and presently we were down-stairs, alertly hungry.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
salutationnoun
an act of honor or courteous recognition
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
Identical; not different.
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
silveryadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlvəri/
resembling or reminiscent of silver
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
deliver by singing
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
six-o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Our hostess, with morning smile, asked if we would mind waiting breakfast for "the boarders."
sneezedverbUS /sniːzd/
past form of “sneeze” — exhale spasmodically, as when an irritant entered one's nose
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
solitary-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
in or at or to some place
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
up to a particular time
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
transportedverbUS /trænˈspɔːrtɪd/
past form of “transport” — move something or somebody around; usually over long distances
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
unfoldingnounUS /ənˈfoʊldɪŋ/
a developmental process
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
uplandadjectiveUS /ˈʌplənd/
used of high or hilly country
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading A lantern flashing in and out among barns lit up my ceiling for a moment, a rough country voice hailed another rough country voice somewhere outside, and the day slowly coughed and sneezed itself awake in the six-o'clock grayness.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Our hostess, with morning smile, asked if we would mind waiting breakfast for "the boarders."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Meanwhile, we stepped out into the unfolding day, and the village that had been a mystery to us in the darkness was revealed; a handful of farmhouses on the brow of a solitary-looking upland, and, looming over all, a great cathedral-like church that seemed to have been transported bodily from France.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I heard Colin moving in the next room, and presently we were down-stairs, alertly hungry.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I heard Colin moving in the next room, and presently we were down-stairs, alertly hungry.
in or at the place that
From this reading WHERE THEY SING FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT I awoke to the same silvery salutation, and the sound of country boots echoing across farm-yard cobble-stones.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Our hostess, with morning smile, asked if we would mind waiting breakfast for "the boarders."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Our hostess, with morning smile, asked if we would mind waiting breakfast for "the boarders."
