used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
(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 The geraniums, lined all along the ledge, showed a more chastened red than in the sunlight.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The geraniums, lined all along the ledge, showed a more chastened red than in the sunlight.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
beeches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Priscilla of the Good Intent had been crying quietly.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
challengeverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒ/
take exception to
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
chastenedverbUS /ˈtʃeɪsənd/
past form of “chasten” — censure severely
From this reading The geraniums, lined all along the ledge, showed a more chastened red than in the sunlight.
Cilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
cloudedadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdɪd/
made troubled or apprehensive or distressed in appearance
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
coppernounUS /ˈkɑːpər/
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
demanding attention
From this reading Priscilla of the Good Intent had been crying quietly.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
footstepnounUS /ˈfʊtstep/
the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
geraniumsnounUS /dʒərˈeɪniəmz/
plural of “geranium” — any of numerous plants of the family Geraniaceae
From this reading The geraniums, lined all along the ledge, showed a more chastened red than in the sunlight.
the act of giving
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
gloamingnounUS /ˈɡloʊmɪŋ/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Priscilla of the Good Intent had been crying quietly.
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Priscilla of the Good Intent had been crying quietly.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
hawthornsnounUS /ˈhɔːθɔːrnz/
plural of “hawthorn” — a spring-flowering shrub or small tree of the genus Crataegus
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
house-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
IntentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Priscilla of the Good Intent had been crying quietly.
immediately past
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
late-leafing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading The geraniums, lined all along the ledge, showed a more chastened red than in the sunlight.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
lilacsnounUS /ˈlaɪlæks/
plural of “lilac” — any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading The geraniums, lined all along the ledge, showed a more chastened red than in the sunlight.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The geraniums, lined all along the ledge, showed a more chastened red than in the sunlight.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
Priscilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Priscilla of the Good Intent had been crying quietly.
with low volume
From this reading Priscilla of the Good Intent had been crying quietly.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The geraniums, lined all along the ledge, showed a more chastened red than in the sunlight.
restlesslyadverbUS /ˈrestləsli/
in a restless manner
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
except for; apart from
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The geraniums, lined all along the ledge, showed a more chastened red than in the sunlight.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The geraniums, lined all along the ledge, showed a more chastened red than in the sunlight.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The geraniums, lined all along the ledge, showed a more chastened red than in the sunlight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
tranquiladjectiveUS /ˈtræŋkwəl/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
twittering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
unlitadjective
not set afire or burning
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Outside, among the lilacs and the hawthorns and the late-leafing copper beeches, the birds were twittering restlessly, and now and then were giving a last, clear challenge to the night.
at the time that
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The house-place was unlit and dim, save for the flickering of a fire that was dying hard in the wide grate; but at the window here there was a soft and tranquil light, half from the gloaming and half from the clouded moon.
window-ledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cilla was leaning on the window-ledge when she heard her father’s footstep in the porch.
