adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
agenounUS /eɪdʒ/
how long something has existed
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
bare-walled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading She was barely twenty-three years old.
BeautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
BlueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
BornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/
brought into existence
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
compensatingverbUS /ˈkɑːmpənseɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “compensate” — adjust for
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
districtnounUS /ˈdɪstrɪkt/
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
episodenounUS /ˈepəsoʊd/
a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
equallyadverbUS /ˈiːkwəli/
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
existencenounUS /eɡˈzɪstəns/
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
extremesnounUS /ekˈstriːmz/
plural of “extreme” — the furthest or highest degree of something
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
farmhousenounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊs/
house for a farmer and family
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
GrassverbUS /ɡræs/
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
grazingnounUS /ˈɡreɪzɪŋ/
the act of grazing
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
KentuckynounUS /kənˈtʌki/
a state in east central United States; a border state during the American Civil War; famous for breeding race horses
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
landsnounUS /lændz/
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
limitlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətləs/
without limits in extent or size or quantity
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
mediocritynounUS /ˌmiːdiˈɑːkrəti/
ordinariness as a consequence of being average and not outstanding
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
meeting-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
mowernounUS /ˈmoʊər/
garden tool for mowing grass on lawns
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She was barely twenty-three years old.
patentedadjectiveUS /ˈpætəntɪd/
(of devices and processes) protected by patent
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
promiseverbUS /ˈprɑːməs/
make a promise or commitment
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
roughadjectiveUS /rʌf/
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was barely twenty-three years old.
silknounUS /sɪlk/
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
twenty-threenounUS /ˈtwentiθriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-two and one
From this reading She was barely twenty-three years old.
uneventfuladjectiveUS /ˌʌniˈventfəl/
marked by no noteworthy or significant events
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
unpaintedadjectiveUS /ənˈpeɪntɪd/
not having makeup on
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It is probable that up to that age, and the beginning of this episode, her life had been uneventful.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was barely twenty-three years old.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A piano in the bare-walled house, the latest patented mower in the limitless meadows, and a silk dress sweeping the rough floor of the unpainted “meeting-house” were already the promise of those possibilities.
WesternadjectiveUS /ˈwestərn/
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading Born to the easy mediocrity of such compensating extremes as a small farmhouse and large lands, a good position and no society, in that vast grazing district of Kentucky known as the “Blue Grass” region, all the possibilities of a Western American girl's existence lay before her.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Beautiful she was, but the power of that beauty was limited by being equally shared with her few neighbors.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading She was barely twenty-three years old.
