used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
BARRON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ILGA BARRON Spring was in Fair Harbor.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
blackbirdsnounUS /ˈblækbərdz/
plural of “blackbird” — any bird of the family Icteridae whose male is black or predominantly black
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
caroled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
daffodilsnounUS /ˈdæfədɪlz/
plural of “daffodil” — any of numerous varieties of Narcissus plants having showy often yellow flowers with a trumpet-shaped central crown
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
dittiesnounUS /ˈdɪtiz/
plural of “ditty” — a short simple song (or the words of a poem intended to be sung)
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
at any time
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading ILGA BARRON Spring was in Fair Harbor.
flauntedverbUS /ˈflɔːntɪd/
past form of “flaunt” — display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
FlocksnounUS /flɑːks/
plural of “flock” — a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
gownsnounUS /ɡaʊnz/
plural of “gown” — a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
HarborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading ILGA BARRON Spring was in Fair Harbor.
horsewomannoun
a woman horseman
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
hyacinthsnounUS /ˈhaɪəsɪnθs/
plural of “hyacinth” — a red transparent variety of zircon used as a gemstone
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
ILGA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ILGA BARRON Spring was in Fair Harbor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ILGA BARRON Spring was in Fair Harbor.
Jocelyn's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
Leonora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
matesnounUS /meɪts/
a pair of people who live together
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
pairsnounUS /perz/
plural of “pair” — a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
parksnounUS /pɑːrks/
United States civil rights leader who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery (Alabama) and so triggered the national Civil Rights movement (born in 1913)
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
prettiestadjectiveUS /ˈprɪtiəst/
superlative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
roadsidesnounUS /ˈroʊdsaɪdz/
plural of “roadside” — edge of a way or road or path
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
robinsnounUS /ˈrɑːbənz/
plural of “robin” — small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
the season of growth
From this reading ILGA BARRON Spring was in Fair Harbor.
spring'snounUS /sprɪŋz/
possessive form of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/
resistant to change of position or condition
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
suburbnounUS /ˈsʌbərb/
a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Flocks of blackbirds, by the suburb roadsides, creaked their joy in the sunshine, and robins caroled love ditties to their mates.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
trottedverbUS /ˈtrɑːtɪd/
inflected form of “trot” — run at a moderately swift pace
From this reading Mrs. Jocelyn's stable, too, told of spring's coming, for there stood one of the prettiest pairs of ponies that ever trotted before a carriage.
TulipsnounUS /ˈtuːləps/
plural of “tulip” — any of numerous perennial bulbous herbs having linear or broadly lanceolate leaves and usually a single showy flower
From this reading Tulips and hyacinths flaunted their gay gowns in the city parks, and daffodils laughed in old-fashioned gardens.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ILGA BARRON Spring was in Fair Harbor.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Already Leonora was becoming an experienced little horsewoman, though whenever she drove there was always Philip, Mrs. Jocelyn's man, riding close behind.
