used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And Phœbe hummed about her work like a young healthy bee.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And Phœbe hummed about her work like a young healthy bee.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And Phœbe hummed about her work like a young healthy bee.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
beenounUS /biː/
any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading And Phœbe hummed about her work like a young healthy bee.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
burblesverbUS /ˈbɜːrbəlz/
third-person singular of “burble” — flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
chucklesnounUS /ˈtʃʌkəlz/
plural of “chuckle” — a soft partly suppressed laugh
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
without doubt or question
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
cooingverbUS /ˈkuːɪŋ/
-ing form of “coo” — speak softly or lovingly
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
CORDIS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
docknounUS /dɑːk/
an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
healthyadjectiveUS /ˈhelθi/
having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease
From this reading And Phœbe hummed about her work like a young healthy bee.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And Phœbe hummed about her work like a young healthy bee.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
hummed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Phœbe hummed about her work like a young healthy bee.
indicationnounUS /ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən/
something that serves to indicate or suggest
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
interjectory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
jibverbUS /dʒɪb/
refuse to comply
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
the sound of laughing
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
go away from a place
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading And Phœbe hummed about her work like a young healthy bee.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
mainsailnoun
the lowermost sail on the mainmast
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
not any; not one
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
NorrisnounUS /ˈnɔːrɪs/
United States writer (1870-1902)
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
oatnounUS /oʊt/
annual grass of Europe and North Africa; grains used as food and fodder (referred to primarily in the plural: “oats”)
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
Phœbe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
pigeonsnounUS /ˈpɪdʒənz/
plural of “pigeon” — wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
on the contrary
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
resurrectedverbUS /ˌrezərˈektɪd/
past form of “resurrect” — cause to become alive again
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
RICHARD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
ripplesnounUS /ˈrɪpəlz/
plural of “ripple” — a small wave on the surface of a liquid
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
sentencesnounUS /ˈsentənsəz/
plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
stacknounUS /stæk/
an orderly pile
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
suggestiveadjectiveUS /səˈdʒestɪv/
tending to suggest or imply
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
tatteredadjectiveUS /ˈtætərd/
worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading On the Lake the conversation could not be distinguished, but these interjectory ripples floated out clearly enough.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
a special situation
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
the upper part of anything
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
TREMORnounUS /ˈtremər/
an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)
From this reading TREMOR CORDIS RICHARD showed no indication to leave his comfortable place on Phœbe Norris’ porch.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
at the time that
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the first thing Walter heard when he had staggered down to the dock with an old mainsail and a tattered jib which he had resurrected from the top of a neighbouring oat stack.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading When she felt particularly pleased she put little burbles of low laughter between her sentences; chuckles is not the exact word; they were suggestive rather of the cooing of pigeons.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading And Phœbe hummed about her work like a young healthy bee.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading And Phœbe hummed about her work like a young healthy bee.
