used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Spring had come with a rush, the hedges were everywhere bursting into leaf.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
AcresnounUS /ˈeɪkərz/
extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
(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 All Nature rejoiced, and the pulse of youth leapt to the universal rhythm.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
next to; at the side of
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
brooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Spring had come with a rush, the hedges were everywhere bursting into leaf.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Spring had come with a rush, the hedges were everywhere bursting into leaf.
intentionally conceived
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
dividesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪdz/
plural of “divide” — a serious disagreement between two groups of people (typically producing tension or hostility)
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
equatornounUS /ɪˈkweɪtər/
an imaginary line around the Earth forming the great circle that is equidistant from the north and south poles
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
at any time
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
to or in any or all places
From this reading Spring had come with a rush, the hedges were everywhere bursting into leaf.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
hedgesnounUS /ˈhedʒɪz/
plural of “hedge” — a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
From this reading Spring had come with a rush, the hedges were everywhere bursting into leaf.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Spring had come with a rush, the hedges were everywhere bursting into leaf.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Spring had come with a rush, the hedges were everywhere bursting into leaf.
leaptverbUS /lept/
inflected form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading All Nature rejoiced, and the pulse of youth leapt to the universal rhythm.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
May-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
memorableadjectiveUS /ˈmemərəbəl/
worth remembering
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading All Nature rejoiced, and the pulse of youth leapt to the universal rhythm.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
proprietynounUS /prəˈpraɪəti/
correct or appropriate behavior
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
pulsenounUS /pʌls/
(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)
From this reading All Nature rejoiced, and the pulse of youth leapt to the universal rhythm.
rejoicedverbUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪst/
past form of “rejoice” — feel happiness or joy
From this reading All Nature rejoiced, and the pulse of youth leapt to the universal rhythm.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
rhythmnounUS /ˈrɪðəm/
the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music
From this reading All Nature rejoiced, and the pulse of youth leapt to the universal rhythm.
rippledadjectiveUS /ˈrɪpəld/
uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
move hurridly
From this reading Spring had come with a rush, the hedges were everywhere bursting into leaf.
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
act as a barrier between; stand between
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
sparkledverbUS /ˈspɑːrkəld/
past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
the season of growth
From this reading Spring had come with a rush, the hedges were everywhere bursting into leaf.
having a supporting base
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
stilenounUS /staɪl/
an upright that is a member in a door or window frame
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
the rays of the sun
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
swardnounUS /swɔːrd/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
thrushesnounUS /ˈθrʌʃəz/
plural of “thrush” — candidiasis of the oral cavity; seen mostly in infants or debilitated adults
From this reading In the Thirty Acres which climbed the hill above them, the thrushes were singing their May-day song, and beside them the brook rippled and sparkled in the sunshine.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
universaladjectiveUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəl/
of worldwide scope or applicability
From this reading All Nature rejoiced, and the pulse of youth leapt to the universal rhythm.
unrebuked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The stile rose between them, but seeing that his hands rested on hers, and his eyes dwelt unrebuked on her conscious face, the barrier was but as the equator, which divides but does not separate; the sacrifice to propriety was less than it seemed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Spring had come with a rush, the hedges were everywhere bursting into leaf.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading They were standing on the narrow strip of sward between the wood and the stream, which the gun accident had for ever made memorable to them.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading All Nature rejoiced, and the pulse of youth leapt to the universal rhythm.
