adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
BeneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
blewverbUS /bluː/
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
bloomnounUS /bluːm/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
bloomsnounUS /bluːmz/
plural of “bloom” — the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
boughnounUS /baʊ/
any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/
lacking funds
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
bushnounUS /bʊʃ/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
cheeknounUS /tʃiːk/
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
clothedadjectiveUS /kloʊðd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
cooingverbUS /ˈkuːɪŋ/
-ing form of “coo” — speak softly or lovingly
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
cornnounUS /kɔːrn/
tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
dewdrops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
dovesnounUS /dʌvz/
plural of “dove” — any of numerous small pigeons
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
eave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
everywhereadverbUS /ˈevriwer/
to or in any or all places
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
faireradjectiveUS /ˈferər/
comparative of “fair” — free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
finishingnounUS /ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/
a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
flyingadjectiveUS /ˈflaɪɪŋ/
moving swiftly
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
grassverbUS /ɡræs/
shoot down, of birds
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
growingnounUS /ˈɡroʊɪŋ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
joynounUS /dʒɔɪ/
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
JustadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
lilynounUS /ˈlɪli/
any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
lovenounUS /lʌv/
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
marriagenounUS /ˈmerɪdʒ/
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
nestlingnounUS /ˈnestlɪŋ/
young bird not yet fledged
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
pairnounUS /per/
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
pausedverbUS /pɔːzd/
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
peachnounUS /piːtʃ/
cultivated in temperate regions
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
red-breasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
shakingnounUS /ˈʃeɪkɪŋ/
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
softlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːftli/
with low volume
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
songnounUS /sɔːŋ/
a short musical composition with words
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
sprangverbUS /spræŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
springnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
starredadjectiveUS /stɑːrd/
marked with an asterisk
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
stoepnoun
small porch or set of steps at the front entrance of a house
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
Suzanne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
swallowsnounUS /ˈswɑːloʊz/
plural of “swallow” — a small amount of liquid food
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
tasknounUS /tæsk/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
touchingadjectiveUS /ˈtʌtʃɪŋ/
arousing affect
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
treenounUS /triː/
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
twittered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
unnumberedadjective
too numerous to be counted
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
veldtnoun
elevated open grassland in southern Africa
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
watchedverbUS /wɑːtʃt/
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
WEDDINGnounUS /ˈwedɪŋ/
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading THE WEDDING The marriage morning of Ralph and Suzanne broke brightly; never have I seen a fairer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
wheelverbUS /wiːl/
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind blew softly, shaking down the dewdrops from the growing corn, while from every bush and tree came the cooing of unnumbered doves.
wingsnounUS /wɪŋz/
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was spring time, and the veldt was clothed with the fresh green grass and starred everywhere with the lily blooms that sprang among it.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
yardsnounUS /jɑːrdz/
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Just then they paused from their task, or perhaps it was at length completed, and flying to a bough of the peach tree a few yards away, perched there together amidst the bright bloom, and nestling against each other, twittered forth their song of joy and love.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Beneath the eave of the _stoep_ the pair of red-breasted swallows which had built there for so many years were finishing their nest, and I watched them idly, for to me they were old friends, and would wheel about my head, touching my cheek with their wings.
