used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NEW MILL GIRL The autumn had deepened--the cotton had been picked.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Yet their master was already up and astir.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
arisenverbUS /ərˈɪzən/
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
astiradjective
out of bed
From this reading Millwood was astir early that morning--what there was of it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading A NEW MILL GIRL The autumn had deepened--the cotton had been picked.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
beeches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A NEW MILL GIRL The autumn had deepened--the cotton had been picked.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
bollsnounUS /boʊlz/
plural of “boll” — the rounded seed-bearing capsule of a cotton or flax plant
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
circularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/
having the shape or form of a circle
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading A NEW MILL GIRL The autumn had deepened--the cotton had been picked.
deepenedverbUS /ˈdiːpənd/
past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading A NEW MILL GIRL The autumn had deepened--the cotton had been picked.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Millwood was astir early that morning--what there was of it.
eggsnounUS /eɡz/
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
flagsnounUS /flæɡz/
plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
garbagenounUS /ˈɡɑːrbɪdʒ/
food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
a young female
From this reading A NEW MILL GIRL The autumn had deepened--the cotton had been picked.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A NEW MILL GIRL The autumn had deepened--the cotton had been picked.
hound-shake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
houndsnounUS /haʊndz/
plural of “hound” — any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Millwood was astir early that morning--what there was of it.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Yet their master was already up and astir.
MILLverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading A NEW MILL GIRL The autumn had deepened--the cotton had been picked.
Millwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Millwood was astir early that morning--what there was of it.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Millwood was astir early that morning--what there was of it.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A NEW MILL GIRL The autumn had deepened--the cotton had been picked.
nosesnounUS /ˈnoʊzɪz/
plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading A NEW MILL GIRL The autumn had deepened--the cotton had been picked.
remnantsnounUS /ˈremnənts/
plural of “remnant” — a small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
searedadjectiveUS /sɪrd/
having the surface burned quickly with intense heat
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
sentinelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
skeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
stalksnounUS /stɔːks/
plural of “stalk” — material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
summer'snounUS /ˈsʌmərz/
possessive form of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
tailsnounUS /teɪlz/
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
tatteredadjectiveUS /ˈtætərd/
worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Millwood was astir early that morning--what there was of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A NEW MILL GIRL The autumn had deepened--the cotton had been picked.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Millwood was astir early that morning--what there was of it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
twistverbUS /twɪst/
to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
unpicked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Yet their master was already up and astir.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Millwood was astir early that morning--what there was of it.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Millwood was astir early that morning--what there was of it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One by one the lean hounds had arisen from their beds of dry leaves under the beeches, and, shaking themselves with that hound-shake which began at their noses and ended in a circular twist of their skeleton tails, had begun to hunt for stray eggs and garbage.
but in spite of that
From this reading The dry stalks, sentinelling the seared ground, waved their tattered remnants of unpicked bolls to and fro--summer's battle flags which had not yet fallen.
