used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Outside the branches of elms dragged, with a snapping of twigs, across the brittle roof.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
react verbally
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Outside the branches of elms dragged, with a snapping of twigs, across the brittle roof.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
brittleadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪtəl/
having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped
From this reading Outside the branches of elms dragged, with a snapping of twigs, across the brittle roof.
lacking funds
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Would she come?
creeknounUS /kriːk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading I remembered her unyielding decision, her unflinching sincerity.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Outside the branches of elms dragged, with a snapping of twigs, across the brittle roof.
elmsnounUS /elmz/
plural of “elm” — any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading Outside the branches of elms dragged, with a snapping of twigs, across the brittle roof.
Etta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
gustnounUS /ɡʌst/
a strong current of air
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I remembered her unyielding decision, her unflinching sincerity.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I remembered her unyielding decision, her unflinching sincerity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
Lisbeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
not any; not one
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside the branches of elms dragged, with a snapping of twigs, across the brittle roof.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading I remembered her unyielding decision, her unflinching sincerity.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Miss Etta had returned, letting in a gust of damp air, but bringing no definite answer from Lisbeth.
roaringnounUS /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/
a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Outside the branches of elms dragged, with a snapping of twigs, across the brittle roof.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Would she come?
sinceritynounUS /sɪnˈserəti/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading I remembered her unyielding decision, her unflinching sincerity.
snappingverbUS /ˈsnæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading Outside the branches of elms dragged, with a snapping of twigs, across the brittle roof.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
in the direction of
From this reading The rain broke now suddenly, and came roaring down the hill towards the creek.
twigsnounUS /twɪɡz/
plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
From this reading Outside the branches of elms dragged, with a snapping of twigs, across the brittle roof.
unflinchingadjectiveUS /ənˈflɪntʃɪŋ/
not shrinking from danger
From this reading I remembered her unyielding decision, her unflinching sincerity.
unyieldingadjectiveUS /əˈnjiːldɪŋ/
stubbornly unyielding
From this reading I remembered her unyielding decision, her unflinching sincerity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Outside the branches of elms dragged, with a snapping of twigs, across the brittle roof.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Would she come?
