adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Upon the absolute silence of the scene there presently broke the steady humming of a car.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
absoluteadjectiveUS /ˈæbsəluːt/
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading Upon the absolute silence of the scene there presently broke the steady humming of a car.
AcrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
bareadjectiveUS /ber/
completely unclothed
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
BLACKadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
bobbingverbUS /ˈbɑːbɪŋ/
inflected form of “bob” — move up and down repeatedly
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
breakingnounUS /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/
the act of breaking something
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
brimmingadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪmɪŋ/
filled to capacity
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/
lacking funds
From this reading Upon the absolute silence of the scene there presently broke the steady humming of a car.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
carnounUS /kɑːr/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Upon the absolute silence of the scene there presently broke the steady humming of a car.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
dawnnounUS /dɔːn/
the first light of day
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
DykenounUS /daɪk/
(slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
dykesnounUS /daɪks/
plural of “dyke” — (slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
edgenounUS /edʒ/
the boundary of a surface
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
FennounUS /fen/
100 fen equal 1 yuan in China
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
fen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
flamingadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
flatadjectiveUS /flæt/
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
fringedadjective
surrounded as with a border or fringe; sometimes used in combination
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
gloomyadjectiveUS /ˈɡluːmi/
depressingly dark
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
higheradjectiveUS /ˈhaɪər/
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
horizonnounUS /hərˈaɪzən/
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
hummingnounUS /ˈhʌmɪŋ/
a humming noise
From this reading Upon the absolute silence of the scene there presently broke the steady humming of a car.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
InnnounUS /ɪn/
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
luridadjectiveUS /ˈlʊrəd/
horrible in fierceness or savagery
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
lushadjectiveUS /lʌʃ/
produced or growing in extreme abundance
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
Morsted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
paledverbUS /peɪld/
past form of “pale” — turn pale, as if in fear
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
pollards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
poplars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
presentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/
in the near future
From this reading Upon the absolute silence of the scene there presently broke the steady humming of a car.
radiancenounUS /ˈreɪdiːəns/
the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
roadnounUS /roʊd/
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
ruddyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌdi/
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
scenenounUS /siːn/
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Upon the absolute silence of the scene there presently broke the steady humming of a car.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Upon the absolute silence of the scene there presently broke the steady humming of a car.
skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/
past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
spreadverbUS /spred/
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
steadyverbUS /ˈstedi/
make steady
From this reading Upon the absolute silence of the scene there presently broke the steady humming of a car.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
stretchedadjectiveUS /stretʃt/
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
stuntedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌntɪd/
inferior in size or quality
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A great light, paled by the dawn, came bobbing and sweeping, along the road that skirted the fen’s edge.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Upon the absolute silence of the scene there presently broke the steady humming of a car.
threwverbUS /θruː/
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
TOQUEnoun
a tall white hat with a pouched crown; worn by chefs
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon the absolute silence of the scene there presently broke the steady humming of a car.
VELVETnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
visibleadjectiveUS /ˈvɪzəbəl/
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading The tall poplars about the Dyke Inn stood out hard and clear in the ruddy light; beyond them the fen, stretched away to the flaming horizon gloomy and flat and desolate, with nothing higher than the stunted pollards visible against the lurid background.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BLACK VELVET TOQUE Across Morsted Fen the day was breaking red and sullen.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The brimming dykes, fringed with bare pollards, and the long sheets of water spread out across the lush meadows, threw back the fiery radiance of the sky from their gleaming surface.
