used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
adagenounUS /ˈædədʒ/
a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
react verbally
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
for the reason that
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
beliesverbUS /bɪˈlaɪz/
third-person singular of “belie” — be in contradiction with
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
brownedadjectiveUS /braʊnd/
(of skin) deeply suntanned
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
decidesverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdz/
third-person singular of “decide” — reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
discreetadjectiveUS /dɪˈskriːt/
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
Dulce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
evergreensnounUS /ˈevərɡriːnz/
plural of “evergreen” — a plant having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading "Time tries the troth in everything."
frownverbUS /fraʊn/
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
hesitatesverbUS /ˈhezəteɪts/
third-person singular of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Time tries the troth in everything."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
maintainingverbUS /meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “maintain” — cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
and nothing more
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
rustleverbUS /ˈrʌsəl/
make a dry crackling sound
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
swardnounUS /swɔːrd/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
swayverbUS /sweɪ/
move back and forth or sideways
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Time tries the troth in everything."
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)
From this reading --THOMAS TUSSER.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "Time tries the troth in everything."
tiresomeadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərsəm/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
triesnounUS /traɪz/
plural of “try” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading "Time tries the troth in everything."
trothnounUS /troʊθ/
a mutual promise to marry
From this reading "Time tries the troth in everything."
TUSSERnoun
oriental moth that produces brownish silk
From this reading --THOMAS TUSSER.
uncertainlyadverbUS /ənˈsɜːrtənli/
in an unsteady manner
From this reading "Shall I answer?" says Dulce to herself, half uncertainly; and then she hesitates, and then belies the old adage because she is not lost, but decides on maintaining a discreet silence.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
Winter'snounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading THE voice comes to her distinctly across the sward, browned by Winter's frown, and over the evergreens that sway and rustle behind her back.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
worriesnounUS /ˈwɜːriz/
plural of “worry” — something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
From this reading "If he comes," she tells herself, "he will only talk, _talk_, TALK! and, at his best, he is tiresome; and then he worries so that really life becomes a burden with him near.
