used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Between the front windows swung a bell composed of mistletoe leaves with the clapper of the white berries.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Romance The living-room at Tahawus cabin suggested an outdoor cathedral.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Romance The living-room at Tahawus cabin suggested an outdoor cathedral.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading Underneath was an improvised platform with a background of green and stalks of lilies and roses.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Yet the wedding ceremony was to be of the simplest character with no outside guests.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Between the front windows swung a bell composed of mistletoe leaves with the clapper of the white berries.
berriesnounUS /ˈberiz/
plural of “berry” — any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Between the front windows swung a bell composed of mistletoe leaves with the clapper of the white berries.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
bunchesnounUS /ˈbʌntʃəz/
plural of “bunch” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Romance The living-room at Tahawus cabin suggested an outdoor cathedral.
capturedverbUS /ˈkæptʃərd/
past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
cathedralnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəl/
any large and important church
From this reading Romance The living-room at Tahawus cabin suggested an outdoor cathedral.
cedarnounUS /ˈsiːdər/
any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading Yet the wedding ceremony was to be of the simplest character with no outside guests.
chandeliernounUS /ʃændəˈlɪr/
branched lighting fixture; often ornate; hangs from the ceiling
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Yet the wedding ceremony was to be of the simplest character with no outside guests.
clappernounUS /ˈklæpər/
someone who applauds
From this reading Between the front windows swung a bell composed of mistletoe leaves with the clapper of the white berries.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading Between the front windows swung a bell composed of mistletoe leaves with the clapper of the white berries.
EvergreensnounUS /ˈevərɡriːnz/
plural of “evergreen” — a plant having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Between the front windows swung a bell composed of mistletoe leaves with the clapper of the white berries.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Yet the wedding ceremony was to be of the simplest character with no outside guests.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
hollynounUS /ˈhɑːli/
any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex having red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
improvisedadjectiveUS /ˈɪmprəvaɪzd/
done or made using whatever is available
From this reading Underneath was an improvised platform with a background of green and stalks of lilies and roses.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Between the front windows swung a bell composed of mistletoe leaves with the clapper of the white berries.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
liliesnounUS /ˈlɪliz/
plural of “lily” — any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading Underneath was an improvised platform with a background of green and stalks of lilies and roses.
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
living-roomnoun
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
From this reading Romance The living-room at Tahawus cabin suggested an outdoor cathedral.
mantelnounUS /ˈmæntəl/
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
mistletoenounUS /ˈmɪsəltoʊ/
American plants closely resembling Old World mistletoe
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
not any; not one
From this reading Yet the wedding ceremony was to be of the simplest character with no outside guests.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
outdooradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtdɔːr/
located, suited for, or taking place in the open air
From this reading Romance The living-room at Tahawus cabin suggested an outdoor cathedral.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Yet the wedding ceremony was to be of the simplest character with no outside guests.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading Underneath was an improvised platform with a background of green and stalks of lilies and roses.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading Romance The living-room at Tahawus cabin suggested an outdoor cathedral.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Underneath was an improvised platform with a background of green and stalks of lilies and roses.
simplestadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpləst/
superlative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Yet the wedding ceremony was to be of the simplest character with no outside guests.
snowflakesnounUS /ˈsnoʊfleɪks/
plural of “snowflake” — a crystal of snow
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
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 Underneath was an improvised platform with a background of green and stalks of lilies and roses.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Romance The living-room at Tahawus cabin suggested an outdoor cathedral.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Between the front windows swung a bell composed of mistletoe leaves with the clapper of the white berries.
Tahawus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Romance The living-room at Tahawus cabin suggested an outdoor cathedral.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Romance The living-room at Tahawus cabin suggested an outdoor cathedral.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Yet the wedding ceremony was to be of the simplest character with no outside guests.
UnderneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading Underneath was an improvised platform with a background of green and stalks of lilies and roses.
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 Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Underneath was an improvised platform with a background of green and stalks of lilies and roses.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading Yet the wedding ceremony was to be of the simplest character with no outside guests.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
a Caucasian
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Between the front windows swung a bell composed of mistletoe leaves with the clapper of the white berries.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Evergreens arched overhead; the walls were lined with green branches of holly, cedar and pine; while above the mantel and hanging from the chandelier were bunches of mistletoe, the white berries, like captured snowflakes.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet the wedding ceremony was to be of the simplest character with no outside guests.
