used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
how long something has existed
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading With watery eyes she looked back on the quiet beauties of her native valley.
beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/
plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading With watery eyes she looked back on the quiet beauties of her native valley.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
blendedadjectiveUS /ˈblendɪd/
combined or mixed together so that the constituent parts are indistinguishable
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
bloomnounUS /bluːm/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
conveyingnounUS /kənˈveɪɪŋ/
act of transferring property title from one person to another
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
dashingadjectiveUS /ˈdæʃɪŋ/
lively and spirited
From this reading She listened to the dashing of its stream, till the murmur died on her ear.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading She listened to the dashing of its stream, till the murmur died on her ear.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading She listened to the dashing of its stream, till the murmur died on her ear.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
enthusiastnounUS /enˈθuːziæst/
an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
opinion or judgment
From this reading With watery eyes she looked back on the quiet beauties of her native valley.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
Glenalbert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
death of a person
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading With watery eyes she looked back on the quiet beauties of her native valley.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She listened to the dashing of its stream, till the murmur died on her ear.
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading She listened to the dashing of its stream, till the murmur died on her ear.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading With watery eyes she looked back on the quiet beauties of her native valley.
lowlyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊli/
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
mistsnounUS /mɪsts/
plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
Montreville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading She listened to the dashing of its stream, till the murmur died on her ear.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading With watery eyes she looked back on the quiet beauties of her native valley.
oaksnounUS /oʊks/
plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
the act of departing politely
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
compacted by ironing
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading With watery eyes she looked back on the quiet beauties of her native valley.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
shadesnounUS /ʃeɪdz/
(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With watery eyes she looked back on the quiet beauties of her native valley.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
shelteringverbUS /ˈʃeltərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shelter” — provide shelter for
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
in the near future
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
sportedverbUS /ˈspɔːrtɪd/
past form of “sport” — wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading She listened to the dashing of its stream, till the murmur died on her ear.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
up to a particular time
From this reading She listened to the dashing of its stream, till the murmur died on her ear.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
not known
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
valesnounUS /veɪlz/
plural of “vale” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading With watery eyes she looked back on the quiet beauties of her native valley.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
wateryadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːtəri/
filled with water
From this reading With watery eyes she looked back on the quiet beauties of her native valley.
in or at the place that
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
wild-flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With watery eyes she looked back on the quiet beauties of her native valley.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Her lowly home soon glided behind the woods; but its early smoke rose peaceful from amidst its sheltering oaks, till it blended with the mists of morning; and Laura gazed on it as on the parting steps of a friend.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading The grey lights of morning shone mild on Glenalbert, as the carriage, which was conveying Laura to scenes unknown, wound slowly up the hill.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'Oh, vales!' she exclaimed, 'where my childhood sported--mountains that have echoed to my songs of praise, amidst your shades may my age find shelter--may your wild-flowers bloom on my grave!'--Captain Montreville pressed the fair enthusiast to his breast and smiled.
