1574
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading One gulp--the merry jumper vanished, and its murderer, flapping its wings, soared high into the air.
alighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
arbors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
beaknounUS /biːk/
beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
birdnounUS /bɜːrd/
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
blossomingnounUS /ˈblɑːsəmɪŋ/
the time and process of budding and unfolding of blossoms
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
borderedadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrdərd/
having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
butterfliesnounUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪz/
plural of “butterfly” — diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
circletnoun
a small circle
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
DnounUS /diː/
a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
datenounUS /deɪt/
the specified day of the month
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
deckedverbUS /dekt/
past form of “deck” — be beautiful to look at
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
ditchesnounUS /ˈdɪtʃəz/
plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
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 In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
elmnounUS /elm/
any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
entrynounUS /ˈentri/
an item inserted in a written record
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
fellownounUS /ˈfeloʊ/
a boy or man
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
firmly-fastened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last it alighted on a lofty gable-roof, on whose ridge was its firmly-fastened nest.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading One gulp--the merry jumper vanished, and its murderer, flapping its wings, soared high into the air.
flewverbUS /fluː/
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
flower-beds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
frognounUS /frɑːɡ/
any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
frowningadjectiveUS /ˈfraʊnɪŋ/
showing displeasure or anger
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
fruit-trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
gable-roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last it alighted on a lofty gable-roof, on whose ridge was its firmly-fastened nest.
gablesnounUS /ˈɡeɪbəlz/
plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
gaily-painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
gardensnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənz/
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
girdled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
gnatsnounUS /næts/
plural of “gnat” — any of various small biting flies: midges; biting midges; black flies; sand flies
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
gulpverbUS /ɡʌlp/
to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
From this reading One gulp--the merry jumper vanished, and its murderer, flapping its wings, soared high into the air.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading One gulp--the merry jumper vanished, and its murderer, flapping its wings, soared high into the air.
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
intersectingadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈsektɪŋ/
crossed or intersected in the form of an X
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At last it alighted on a lofty gable-roof, on whose ridge was its firmly-fastened nest.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
joyousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪəs/
full of or characterized by joy
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
jumpernounUS /ˈdʒʌmpər/
a person who jumps
From this reading One gulp--the merry jumper vanished, and its murderer, flapping its wings, soared high into the air.
laid-out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading At last it alighted on a lofty gable-roof, on whose ridge was its firmly-fastened nest.
leavesnounUS /liːvz/
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
lindennounUS /ˈlɪndən/
soft light-colored wood of any of various linden trees; used in making crates and boxes and in carving and millwork
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading At last it alighted on a lofty gable-roof, on whose ridge was its firmly-fastened nest.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
merryadjectiveUS /ˈmeri/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading One gulp--the merry jumper vanished, and its murderer, flapping its wings, soared high into the air.
murderernounUS /ˈmɜːrdərər/
a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading One gulp--the merry jumper vanished, and its murderer, flapping its wings, soared high into the air.
narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading At last it alighted on a lofty gable-roof, on whose ridge was its firmly-fastened nest.
NetherlandsnounUS /ˈneðərləndz/
a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
newly-opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
numerousadjectiveUS /ˈnuːmərəs/
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
pointedadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪntɪd/
having a point
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
poplarnounUS /ˈpɑːplər/
soft light-colored non-durable wood of the poplar
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading At last it alighted on a lofty gable-roof, on whose ridge was its firmly-fastened nest.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
snappingverbUS /ˈsnæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
soaredverbUS /sɔːrd/
past form of “soar” — rise rapidly
From this reading One gulp--the merry jumper vanished, and its murderer, flapping its wings, soared high into the air.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
sportedverbUS /ˈspɔːrtɪd/
past form of “sport” — wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
springnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
storknounUS /stɔːrk/
large mostly Old World wading birds typically having white-and-black plumage
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
streetsnounUS /striːts/
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
sunshinenounUS /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/
the rays of the sun
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
trimlyadverb
in a trim manner
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
vanishedadjectiveUS /ˈvænɪʃt/
having passed out of existence
From this reading One gulp--the merry jumper vanished, and its murderer, flapping its wings, soared high into the air.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading At last it alighted on a lofty gable-roof, on whose ridge was its firmly-fastened nest.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
willow-trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
wingsnounUS /wɪŋz/
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading One gulp--the merry jumper vanished, and its murderer, flapping its wings, soared high into the air.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading On flew the bird over gardens filled with blossoming fruit-trees, trimly laid-out flower-beds, and gaily-painted arbors, across the frowning circlet of walls and towers that girdled the city, over narrow houses with high, pointed gables, and neat streets bordered with elm, poplar, linden and willow-trees, decked with the first green leaves of spring.
writhedadjectiveUS /rɪθd/
twisted (especially as in pain or struggle)
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading In the year 1574 A. D. spring made its joyous entry into the Netherlands at an unusually early date.
yellowadjectiveUS /ˈjeloʊ/
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The sky was blue, gnats sported in the sunshine, white butterflies alighted on the newly-opened yellow flowers, and beside one of the numerous ditches intersecting the wide plain stood a stork, snapping at a fine frog; the poor fellow soon writhed in its enemy's red beak.