used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
(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 All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
Andy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
Andy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
fearless and daring
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
camp-robbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
Connie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
dangerouslyadverbUS /ˈdeɪn.dʒər.əs.li/
In a way that involves danger or risk.
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
Englishman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
flutterverbUS /ˈflʌtər/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
set up or found
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
Gillis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Andy threw himself luxuriously on the green sward.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Andy threw himself luxuriously on the green sward.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
hoppedverbUS /hɑːpt/
inflected form of “hop” — jump lightly
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
not in action or at work
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
inspectionnounUS /ˌɪnˈspekʃən/
a formal or official examination
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
joyouslyadverb
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
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 Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
luxuriouslyadverb
in an indulgently luxurious manner
From this reading Andy threw himself luxuriously on the green sward.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
moodsnounUS /muːdz/
plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
not any; not one
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
pouncedverbUS /paʊnst/
past form of “pounce” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
established beyond doubt
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
regularlyadverbUS /ˈreɡjələrli/
in a regular manner
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
ScoldingnounUS /ˈskoʊldɪŋ/
rebuking a person harshly
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
scouringnounUS /ˈskaʊərɪŋ/
moving over territory to search for something
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
shovelnounUS /ˈʃʌvəl/
a hand tool for lifting loose material; consists of a curved container or scoop and a handle
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
spading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
specimensnounUS /ˈspesəmənz/
plural of “specimen” — an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
swardnounUS /swɔːrd/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading Andy threw himself luxuriously on the green sward.
swarmnounUS /swɔːrm/
a moving crowd
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
teasingnounUS /ˈtiːzɪŋ/
the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Andy threw himself luxuriously on the green sward.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
WainwrightnounUS /ˈweɪnraɪt/
a wagon maker
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
Wainwright's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
whimnounUS /wɪm/
a sudden desire
From this reading Andy’s study of nature proved to be no idle whim, and Gillis had long since ceased teasing him.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading Scolding the bold camp-robbers that ventured dangerously near the shovel blade, she scattered the soil, then laughed joyously as the birds with a great flutter of wings pounced on the fat worms.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All his leisure moments were spent in scouring the hills and meadows for specimens, and regularly every Sunday afternoon he ascended the hill to Wainwright’s cabin with his collection for the learned Englishman’s inspection.
wormsnounUS /wɜːrmz/
plural of “worm” — any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae
From this reading On this afternoon, Wainwright, being in one of his solitary moods, had wandered up the mountain, and Andy found Connie busily engaged in spading the earth in search of worms, which she tossed to the swarm of birds that hopped on the ground and filled the air about her.
