Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

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

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

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

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

plural of “blade” — especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

produce or yield flowers

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

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

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

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

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Through the open corolla came a damp whiff of grass and earth, and the air was quite chill.

a town in Kent in southeastern England; site of the cathedral where Thomas a Becket was martyred in 1170; seat of the archbishop and primate of the Anglican Church

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

coldness due to a cold environment

From this reading Through the open corolla came a damp whiff of grass and earth, and the air was quite chill.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

(botany) the whorl of petals of a flower that collectively form an inner floral envelope or layer of the perianth

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

a natural object that covers or envelops

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

slightly wet

From this reading Through the open corolla came a damp whiff of grass and earth, and the air was quite chill.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

weak from exhaustion

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Through the open corolla came a damp whiff of grass and earth, and the air was quite chill.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

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

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Through the open corolla came a damp whiff of grass and earth, and the air was quite chill.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

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

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

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

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was raining!

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

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

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

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

a member of an American Indian people of Yucatan and Belize and Guatemala who had a culture (which reached its peak between AD 300 and 900) characterized by outstanding architecture and pottery and astronomy

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

plural of “million” — the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Through the open corolla came a damp whiff of grass and earth, and the air was quite chill.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

plural of “path” — a course of conduct

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

plural of “pearl” — a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

interlace the shoots of

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

the fine spores that contain male gametes and that are borne by an anther in a flowering plant

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Through the open corolla came a damp whiff of grass and earth, and the air was quite chill.

shake with fast, tremulous movements

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

falling in drops or as if falling like rain

From this reading It was raining!

with restored energy

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

the stealing of cattle

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

with extreme conscientiousness

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

the state of being covered with unclean things

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

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

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

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

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

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

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

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

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Through the open corolla came a damp whiff of grass and earth, and the air was quite chill.

very small

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

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

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

in a wary manner

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.

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

From this reading Through the open corolla came a damp whiff of grass and earth, and the air was quite chill.

at the time that

From this reading EFFIE AND BOBBIE When Maya awoke the next morning in the corolla of a blue canterbury bell, she heard a fine, faint rustling in the air and felt her blossom-bed quiver as from a tiny, furtive tap-tapping.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

a short light gust of air

From this reading Through the open corolla came a damp whiff of grass and earth, and the air was quite chill.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A fine cool rain was coming down with a light plash, covering everything all round with millions of bright silver pearls, which clung to the leaves and flowers, rolled down the green paths of the blades of grass, and refreshed the brown soil.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading In some apprehension, she took a little pollen from the yellow stamens, scrupulously performed her toilet, then, warily, picking her steps, ventured to the outer edge of the drooping blossom.