used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
associationsnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “association” — a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading And I looked at the tree over my head, and I cast back over the years.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I could see the tree merely by raising my eyes, without raising my head.
put or send forth
From this reading And I looked at the tree over my head, and I cast back over the years.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
clamnounUS /klæm/
burrowing marine mollusk living on sand or mud; the shell closes with viselike firmness
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could see the tree merely by raising my eyes, without raising my head.
drippedverbUS /drɪpt/
inflected form of “drip” — fall in drops
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
drizzlenounUS /ˈdrɪzəl/
very light rain; stronger than mist but less than a shower
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
opinion or judgment
From this reading I could see the tree merely by raising my eyes, without raising my head.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
fifthnounUS /fɪfθ/
a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
flecking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
moving swiftly
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
destroyed or killed
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
gullverbUS /ɡʌl/
make a fool or dupe of
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
gullsnounUS /ɡʌlz/
plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
herringnounUS /ˈherɪŋ/
valuable flesh of fatty fish from shallow waters of northern Atlantic or Pacific; usually salted or pickled
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
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 That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading And I looked at the tree over my head, and I cast back over the years.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
and nothing more
From this reading I could see the tree merely by raising my eyes, without raising my head.
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
not any; not one
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading And I looked at the tree over my head, and I cast back over the years.
processionnounUS /prəˈseʃən/
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
rainingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪnɪŋ/
falling in drops or as if falling like rain
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading I could see the tree merely by raising my eyes, without raising my head.
To recall to mind.
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
cut with a saw
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
screamingadjectiveUS /ˈskriːmɪŋ/
so extremely intense as to evoke screams
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I could see the tree merely by raising my eyes, without raising my head.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
southeastnounUS /ˌsaʊˈθiːst/
the compass point midway between south and east; at 135 degrees
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
ternsnounUS /tɜːrnz/
plural of “tern” — small slender gull having narrow wings and a forked tail
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading And I looked at the tree over my head, and I cast back over the years.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
a vivid mental image
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
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 That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
whitishadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪtɪʃ/
resembling milk in color; not clear
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading That tree has associations and a history: for under that tree Eve stood the fifth time that I saw her,--I remember each time,--and it was raining, a hard drizzle from the southeast, and the water dripped from her wide felt hat, and shone upon her long coat, and she was smiling.
wing-beats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading For the terns have come, which always marks the change of season for me, but the winter gulls have not all gone.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I lay against the bank above my clam beds, with my hands clasped behind my head, and I gazed up at the whitish blue of the sky, and at the little floating clouds flecking the blue, and at an occasional herring gull flying across my field of vision with moderate wing-beats and with no apparent object, and at the procession of screaming terns busy at their fishing.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I could see the tree merely by raising my eyes, without raising my head.
a late time of life
From this reading And I looked at the tree over my head, and I cast back over the years.
