used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
accurateadjectiveUS /ˈækjərət/
conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
From this reading _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
how long something has existed
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
AkinadjectiveUS /əˈkɪn/
similar in quality or character
From this reading Akin to this under urban conditions is the expectant thrill with which we await the curtain’s rise upon the drama.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
annunciatoryadjective
relating to the act of announcing or being announced
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
awaitverbUS /əˈweɪt/
look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading Akin to this under urban conditions is the expectant thrill with which we await the curtain’s rise upon the drama.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
bluebird's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading Akin to this under urban conditions is the expectant thrill with which we await the curtain’s rise upon the drama.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
curtain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Akin to this under urban conditions is the expectant thrill with which we await the curtain’s rise upon the drama.
decrepitadjectiveUS /dəˈkrepɪt/
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading Akin to this under urban conditions is the expectant thrill with which we await the curtain’s rise upon the drama.
echoverbUS /ˈekoʊ/
to say again or imitate
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
expectantadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektənt/
marked by eager anticipation
From this reading Akin to this under urban conditions is the expectant thrill with which we await the curtain’s rise upon the drama.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
plural of “feel” — an intuitive awareness
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
hailedverbUS /heɪld/
past form of “hail” — praise vociferously
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
hitsnounUS /hɪts/
plural of “hit” — (baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
ill-cooked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
joyousnessnoun
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
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 _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
misleadingadjectiveUS /mɪˈsliːdɪŋ/
designed to deceive or mislead either deliberately or inadvertently
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
mountingnounUS /ˈmaʊntɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
over-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
move upward
From this reading Akin to this under urban conditions is the expectant thrill with which we await the curtain’s rise upon the drama.
plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
sapverbUS /sæp/
deplete
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
the season of growth
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
swifteradjectiveUS /ˈswɪftər/
comparative of “swift” — moving very fast
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
testsnounUS /tests/
plural of “test” — trying something to find out about it
From this reading _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
in or at that place or location
From this reading _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
ThoreaunounUS /θərˈoʊ/
United States writer and social critic (1817-1862)
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Akin to this under urban conditions is the expectant thrill with which we await the curtain’s rise upon the drama.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Akin to this under urban conditions is the expectant thrill with which we await the curtain’s rise upon the drama.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Akin to this under urban conditions is the expectant thrill with which we await the curtain’s rise upon the drama.
urbanadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrbən/
relating to or concerned with a city or densely populated area
From this reading Akin to this under urban conditions is the expectant thrill with which we await the curtain’s rise upon the drama.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
veinsnounUS /veɪnz/
plural of “vein” — a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
warbleverbUS /ˈwɔːrbəl/
sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
at the time that
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Thoreau hits it more nearly when he makes the thrill with which spring is hailed the test of age; we are not old, he tells us, if the blood in our veins runs swifter with the mounting sap; if we echo the joyousness of the bluebird’s annunciatory warble.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “A man is as young as he feels,” we are told, but this is misleading.
youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading A bad cold, a bill, an ill-cooked dinner, a few hours over-work, and the youthful man of the morning may feel decrepit by night.
youthfulnessnoun
the freshness and vitality characteristic of a young person
From this reading _The Fall of the Curtain_ There are many tests of youthfulness, the mirror the least accurate.
