used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
anew
From this reading Again she thought of calling Ume.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
a long seat for more than one person
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
braziernounUS /ˈbreɪziər/
large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned; warms people who must stay outside for long times
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
brewverbUS /bruː/
prepare by brewing
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading And again, for a reason not quite plain to herself, Mata decided not to call.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading Again she thought of calling Ume.
coppernounUS /ˈkɑːpər/
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
recognizable; marked
From this reading And again, for a reason not quite plain to herself, Mata decided not to call.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
divisible by two
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
fernsnounUS /fɜːrnz/
plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
fish-cleaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
handfulnounUS /ˈhændfʊl/
a small number or amount
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
herbsnounUS /ɜːrbz/
plural of “herb” — a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading And again, for a reason not quite plain to herself, Mata decided not to call.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
invertedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɜːrtɪd/
being in such a position that top and bottom are reversed
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
jarsnounUS /dʒɑːrz/
Wide-mouthed cylindrical containers made of clay or glass, used for storing goods.
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
Mata
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And again, for a reason not quite plain to herself, Mata decided not to call.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And again, for a reason not quite plain to herself, Mata decided not to call.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading And again, for a reason not quite plain to herself, Mata decided not to call.
precariousadjectiveUS /priˈkeriəs/
affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading And again, for a reason not quite plain to herself, Mata decided not to call.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading And again, for a reason not quite plain to herself, Mata decided not to call.
rice-pot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Again she thought of calling Ume.
shelfnounUS /ʃelf/
A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
simmeringnounUS /ˈsɪmərɪŋ/
cooking in a liquid that has been brought to a boil
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
skilletnounUS /ˈskɪlət/
a pan used for frying foods
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
the state of being asleep
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
having a supporting base
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Again she thought of calling Ume.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And again, for a reason not quite plain to herself, Mata decided not to call.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.
twigsnounUS /twɪɡz/
plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
From this reading She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
Ume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again she thought of calling Ume.
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 She threw a fresh handful of twigs and dried ferns to the sleeping ashes of the brazier, set a copper skillet deep into the answering flame, and began dropping dried bits of herbs into the simmering water.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Ume could reach the highest shelf without standing on an inverted rice-pot, or the even more precarious fish-cleaning bench.
