used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
anew
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
alighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
blue-nosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
blusteringadjectiveUS /ˈblʌstərɪŋ/
blowing in violent and abrupt bursts
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
comfortlessadjective
without comfort
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
endurancenounUS /ˈendərəns/
the power to withstand hardship or stress
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
featheryadjectiveUS /ˈfeðəri/
resembling or suggesting a feather or feathers
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
flakesnounUS /fleɪks/
plural of “flake” — a crystal of snow
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
fortitudenounUS /ˈfɔːrtɪtuːd/
strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
frostedadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːstəd/
(of glass) having a roughened coating resembling frost
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.
gradualadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəl/
proceeding in small stages
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
hoververbUS /ˈhʌvər/
be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
meltverbUS /melt/
reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
moisturenounUS /ˈmɔɪstʃər/
wetness caused by water
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
partiallyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrʃəli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
portentousadjectiveUS /pɔːrˈtentəs/
of momentous or ominous significance
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
side-walks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
soakingnounUS /ˈsoʊkɪŋ/
the process of becoming softened and saturated as a consequence of being immersed in water (or other liquid)
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
look attentively
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
widelyadverbUS /ˈwaɪdli/
to a great degree
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
window-panes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
wintryadjectiveUS /ˈwɪntri/
characteristic of or occurring in winter
From this reading It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
