adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
bangingnounUS /ˈbæŋɪŋ/
a continuing very loud noise
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
bareadjectiveUS /ber/
completely unclothed
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
baynounUS /beɪ/
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
beatenadjectiveUS /ˈbiːtən/
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
Betsey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
Carrolls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
chrysanthemumnounUS /krɪˈsænθəməm/
the flower of a chrysanthemum plant
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
climbedverbUS /klaɪmd/
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
close-fittingadjective
fitting closely but comfortably
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
creakingnounUS /ˈkriːkɪŋ/
a squeaking sound
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
crossedadjectiveUS /krɔːst/
placed crosswise
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
ferryverbUS /ˈferi/
transport from one place to another
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
flaggingnounUS /ˈflæɡɪŋ/
flagstones collectively
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
gardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
gardensnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənz/
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
gravenounUS /ɡreɪv/
death of a person
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
graynounUS /ɡreɪ/
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
halonounUS /ˈheɪloʊ/
an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
hatnounUS /hæt/
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
knockverbUS /nɑːk/
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
levelnounUS /ˈlevəl/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
mountedadjectiveUS /ˈmaʊntəd/
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
oaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
overshoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/
kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
raincoatnounUS /ˈreɪnkoʊt/
a water-resistant coat
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
rainstormnounUS /ˈreɪnstɔːrm/
a storm with rain
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
ranverbUS /ræn/
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
riseverbUS /raɪz/
move upward
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
Sausalito
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
screamedverbUS /skriːmd/
past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
spiralsnounUS /ˈspaɪrəlz/
plural of “spiral” — a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
stalksnounUS /stɔːks/
plural of “stalk” — material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
streamnounUS /striːm/
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
Susan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
tired-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Susan's first knock was lost in a general creaking and banging, but a second brought Betsey, grave and tired-looking, to the door.
treesnounUS /triːz/
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
TwistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
vinesnounUS /vaɪnz/
plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
vistasnounUS /ˈvɪstəz/
plural of “vista” — the visual percept of a region
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
wetadjectiveUS /wet/
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading The sky was gray, the bay beaten level by the rain, and the wet gardens that Susan passed were dreary and bare.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
whirlingnounUS /ˈwɜːrlɪŋ/
the act of rotating in a circle or spiral
From this reading The next day, in a whirling rainstorm, well protected by a trim raincoat, overshoes, and a close-fitting little hat about which spirals of bright hair clung in a halo, Susan crossed the ferry and climbed up the long stairs that rise through the very heart of Sausalito.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The Carrolls' garden was neglected and desolate, chrysanthemum stalks lay across the wet flagging of the path, and wind screamed about the house.
wind-whipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twisting oak trees gave vistas of wind-whipped vines, and of the dark and angry water; the steps she mounted ran a shallow stream.
