used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
Bass-Horn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
bellownounUS /ˈbeloʊ/
a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
bull-frog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
Bumbletree's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
ChronicadjectiveUS /ˈkrɑːnɪk/
being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
rid of obstructions
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
cricketnounUS /ˈkrɪkət/
leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
darkeningadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənɪŋ/
becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
Dingdang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Slatter up the Dingdang,” said the Storekeeper.
discordantadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɔːrdənt/
not in agreement or harmony
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
flatsnounUS /flæts/
footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was sitting on the steps.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
hootnounUS /huːt/
a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
hornnounUS /hɔːrn/
a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
katydidnounUS /ˈkeɪtidɪd/
large green long-horned grasshopper of North America; males produce shrill sounds by rubbing together special organs on the forewings
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
LoafernounUS /ˈloʊfər/
person who does no work
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
loungers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
maplesnounUS /ˈmeɪpəlz/
plural of “maple” — wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
millverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
night-hawk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
owlnounUS /aʊl/
nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
plaintiveadjectiveUS /ˈpleɪntɪv/
expressing sorrow
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Slatter up the Dingdang,” said the Storekeeper.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading He was sitting on the steps.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
Slatter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Slatter up the Dingdang,” said the Storekeeper.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading He was sitting on the steps.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
StorekeepernounUS /ˈstɔːrkiːpər/
a merchant who owns or manages a shop
From this reading “Slatter up the Dingdang,” said the Storekeeper.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
tree-frognoun
arboreal amphibians usually having adhesive disks at the tip of each toe; of southeast Asia and Australia and America
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “Slatter up the Dingdang,” said the Storekeeper.
waftedverbUS /ˈwɑːftɪd/
past form of “waft” — be driven or carried along, as by the air
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the evening chorus, but the loungers on the store porch did not hear it, for to them it was a part of the night’s stillness.
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
at the time that
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
whippoorwillnoun
American nocturnal goatsucker with grey-and-white plumage
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
which person or people
From this reading But when, wafted across the meadows from the hills beyond, the notes of a horn sounded faint and clear, the Chronic Loafer, who for a long time had been smoking his pipe in silence, cried, “What’s that?”
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading _Bumbletree’s Bass-Horn._ From the thick limbs of the maples came the discordant chatter of the cricket, the katydid and the tree-frog; from the creek beyond the mill the hoarse bellow of the bull-frog; from the darkening sky the shrill call of the night-hawk; and out of the woods across the flats the plaintive cry of the whippoorwill and the hoot of the owl.
