used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Behind her loomed the forest; before her rolled the ocean.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind her loomed the forest; before her rolled the ocean.
blackberriesnounUS /ˈblækberiz/
plural of “blackberry” — large sweet black or very dark purple edible aggregate fruit of any of various bushes of the genus Rubus
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The sunshine lay upon both, turning one to sapphires, the other to shifting emeralds.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
edgesnounUS /ˈedʒəz/
plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
emeraldsnounUS /ˈemrəldz/
plural of “emerald” — a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone
From this reading The sunshine lay upon both, turning one to sapphires, the other to shifting emeralds.
fernsnounUS /fɜːrnz/
plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Behind her loomed the forest; before her rolled the ocean.
herbagenoun
succulent herbaceous vegetation of pasture land
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
and nothing more
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The sunshine lay upon both, turning one to sapphires, the other to shifting emeralds.
loomedverbUS /luːmd/
past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading Behind her loomed the forest; before her rolled the ocean.
low-vined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
many-tinted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading Behind her loomed the forest; before her rolled the ocean.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The sunshine lay upon both, turning one to sapphires, the other to shifting emeralds.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The sunshine lay upon both, turning one to sapphires, the other to shifting emeralds.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading Behind her loomed the forest; before her rolled the ocean.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
sandsnounUS /sændz/
the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
sapphiresnounUS /ˈsæfaɪərz/
plural of “sapphire” — a precious transparent stone of rich blue corundum valued as a gemstone
From this reading The sunshine lay upon both, turning one to sapphires, the other to shifting emeralds.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading The sunshine lay upon both, turning one to sapphires, the other to shifting emeralds.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
sparseadjectiveUS /spɑːrs/
not dense
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
Stafford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The sunshine lay upon both, turning one to sapphires, the other to shifting emeralds.
SYMPATHIESnounUS /ˈsɪmpəθiz/
plural of “sympathy” — an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading UNACCOUNTABLE SYMPATHIES.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
thinnedadjectiveUS /θɪnd/
mixed with water
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sunshine lay upon both, turning one to sapphires, the other to shifting emeralds.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading The sunshine lay upon both, turning one to sapphires, the other to shifting emeralds.
UNACCOUNTABLEadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl/
not to be accounted for or explained
From this reading UNACCOUNTABLE SYMPATHIES.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
verged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
in or at the place that
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
a Caucasian
From this reading Barbara Stafford sat upon the roots of an old oak, that held the edges of forest turf together, just where they verged into the white sands of the beach.
whortleberrynoun
erect European blueberry having solitary flowers and blue-black berries
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The woods had been thinned on that portion of the coast, and the oak stood out almost alone, amid a sea of whortleberry bushes, ferns, and low-vined blackberries, that covered the sparse soil with their many-tinted herbage.
