used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
any thing at all
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
AshtonnounUS /ˈæʃtən/
British choreographer (1906-1988)
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
butterfliesnounUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪz/
plural of “butterfly” — diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
DasnounUS /dæs/
any of several small ungulate mammals of Africa and Asia with rodent-like incisors and feet with hooflike toes
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
dryingverbUS /ˈdraɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “dry” — remove the moisture from and make dry
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
divisible by two
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
a young female
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
coins made of gold
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
not any; not one
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
on one occasion
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
Rheingold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
ripplenounUS /ˈrɪpəl/
a small wave on the surface of a liquid
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
seemingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːmɪŋ/
appearing as such but not necessarily so
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
troopnounUS /truːp/
a group of soldiers
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
hard to endure
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
the act of using
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was entirely alone and a close group of trees formed a kind of green temple behind her.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Das Rheingold A girl sat on a flat rock beside a small stream of water, evidently drying her hair in the rays of the sun, for it hung loose over her shoulders and shone red and gold and brown, seeming to ripple down from the crown of her head to the ground.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It had been an extremely warm day so that even the birds were resting from song and from labor.
a Caucasian
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "There is no use of my trying to do anything sensible this afternoon," Betty Ashton sighed, "I am so happy over being in the country once more with nothing to do but to do nothing.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Suddenly the girl tore into small pieces the letter that she had been writing, tossing them into the air like a troop of white butterflies.
