Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

a person's social heritage: previous experience or training

From this reading Some large hydrangeas, and orange trees, in green tubs, made a background to the little scene.

plural of “balcony” — an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

have

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

next to; at the side of

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

plural of “butterfly” — diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

rid of obstructions

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

lacking grace in movement or posture

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

having or capable of producing colors

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

plural of “flood” — the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

the motion made by flapping up and down

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

plural of “glory” — a state of high honor

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Some large hydrangeas, and orange trees, in green tubs, made a background to the little scene.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Some large hydrangeas, and orange trees, in green tubs, made a background to the little scene.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

bearing or marked with a label or tag

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Some large hydrangeas, and orange trees, in green tubs, made a background to the little scene.

immediately past

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Some large hydrangeas, and orange trees, in green tubs, made a background to the little scene.

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Some large hydrangeas, and orange trees, in green tubs, made a background to the little scene.

engage in

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees

From this reading Some large hydrangeas, and orange trees, in green tubs, made a background to the little scene.

plural of “packet” — a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

a native or inhabitant of Russia

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Some large hydrangeas, and orange trees, in green tubs, made a background to the little scene.

plural of “seed” — a small hard fruit

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

in a serious manner

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some large hydrangeas, and orange trees, in green tubs, made a background to the little scene.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

an operation that segregates items into groups according to a specified criterion

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

the season of growth

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

the rays of the sun

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

express in words

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

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 On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

plural of “tub” — a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body

From this reading Some large hydrangeas, and orange trees, in green tubs, made a background to the little scene.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

the act of tying or binding things together

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

being of use or service

From this reading The eager children with clumsy fingers, bent on being useful; the pale, thin mother leaning back in her garden chair smiling at their absorbed faces.

(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 "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

at the time that

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

which person or people

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.

in the company of; together with

From this reading On one of the clear dry days of an early Russian autumn, when a brilliant glow of colour and sunshine floods the air, and the birch trees turned to golden glories shake their fluttering leaves like brilliant butterflies, Elena, Boris, and Daria, stood on one of the wide balconies of the great house, with their mother beside them, sorting seeds and tying them up in packets for the springtime.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Children, I have something I must tell you," commenced Madame Olsheffsky, seriously, when the last seeds had been put away and labelled.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "It is something that will make you sad, but you must try and bear it well for my sake, and for your poor father's--who I hope will return to us one day.