adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/
in the past
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The robins, as usual, were everywhere.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Never had there been so many.
bird-year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
discoveredadjectiveUS /dɪˈskʌvərd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
DykenounUS /daɪk/
(slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
eavesnounUS /iːvz/
the overhang at the lower edge of a roof
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
everywhereadverbUS /ˈevriwer/
to or in any or all places
From this reading The robins, as usual, were everywhere.
exactlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzæktli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
growthnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(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 Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Never had there been so many.
hammer-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
hillnounUS /hɪl/
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
mannernounUS /ˈmænər/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
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 Never had there been so many.
MarylandnounUS /ˈmerələnd/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
merriest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
nestingverbUS /ˈnestɪŋ/
-ing form of “nest” — inhabit a nest, usually after building
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
NeveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never had there been so many.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
notenounUS /noʊt/
a brief written record
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
numbersnounUS /ˈnʌmbərz/
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
Oakdene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
Phoebe-birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
piazzas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
poemnounUS /ˈpoʊəm/
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
ravinenounUS /rəˈviːn/
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
robinsnounUS /ˈrɑːbənz/
plural of “robin” — small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
From this reading The robins, as usual, were everywhere.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never had there been so many.
stupidadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpəd/
lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Never had there been so many.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
understoodadjectiveUS /ˌʌndərˈstʊd/
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The robins, as usual, were everywhere.
VannounUS /væn/
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
witcherynoun
the art of sorcery
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
woodsnounUS /wʊdz/
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
yellow-throats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
