used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading High overhead sailed the moon, a day or two past the first half.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At the side porch she paused and looked behind her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the side porch she paused and looked behind her.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Mary Louise walked back to the house.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading At the side porch she paused and looked behind her.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading High overhead sailed the moon, a day or two past the first half.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading High overhead sailed the moon, a day or two past the first half.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading High overhead sailed the moon, a day or two past the first half.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At the side porch she paused and looked behind her.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading High overhead sailed the moon, a day or two past the first half.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Mary Louise walked back to the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
indistinctadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
jetnounUS /dʒet/
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading At the side porch she paused and looked behind her.
Louise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary Louise walked back to the house.
maplesnounUS /ˈmeɪpəlz/
plural of “maple” — wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Mary Louise walked back to the house.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading High overhead sailed the moon, a day or two past the first half.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading High overhead sailed the moon, a day or two past the first half.
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading High overhead sailed the moon, a day or two past the first half.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading High overhead sailed the moon, a day or two past the first half.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading At the side porch she paused and looked behind her.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading At the side porch she paused and looked behind her.
porticonounUS /ˈpɔːrtəkoʊ/
a porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered and often columned area
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
producingverbUS /prəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading High overhead sailed the moon, a day or two past the first half.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the side porch she paused and looked behind her.
shimmerverbUS /ˈʃɪmər/
shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading At the side porch she paused and looked behind her.
sidewalknounUS /ˈsaɪdwɔːk/
walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mary Louise walked back to the house.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mary Louise walked back to the house.
tremulousadjectiveUS /ˈtremjələs/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading High overhead sailed the moon, a day or two past the first half.
vibratoryadjective
moving very rapidly to and fro or up and down
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Mary Louise walked back to the house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a tremulous movement in the leaves of the maples along the sidewalk, producing an indistinct, vibratory shimmer and shadow.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
yawningadjectiveUS /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
From this reading By contrast the patches of darkness were jet black; the overhanging portico of the house was as yawning as a cavern.
