used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
(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 "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
cagedverbUS /keɪdʒd/
past form of “cage” — confine in a cage
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading "In the exact center of the court stood a large shrub about eight feet tall.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
being one more than seven
From this reading "In the exact center of the court stood a large shrub about eight feet tall.
one or the other of two
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
enclosurenounUS /enˈkloʊʒər/
a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading "In the exact center of the court stood a large shrub about eight feet tall.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading "In the exact center of the court stood a large shrub about eight feet tall.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
FloweringnounUS /ˈflaʊərɪŋ/
the time and process of budding and unfolding of blossoms
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
fountainnounUS /ˈfaʊntən/
a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
gloriouslyadverbUS /ˈɡlɔːriəsli/
with glory or in a glorious manner
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
ivynounUS /ˈaɪvi/
Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "In the exact center of the court stood a large shrub about eight feet tall.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
shrubnounUS /ʃrʌb/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading "In the exact center of the court stood a large shrub about eight feet tall.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
sillsnounUS /sɪlz/
United States operatic soprano (born in 1929)
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/
very large in expanse or scope
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
splashedadjectiveUS /splæʃt/
(of a fluid) having been propelled about in flying drops or masses
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading "In the exact center of the court stood a large shrub about eight feet tall.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
trailedverbUS /treɪld/
past form of “trail” — to lag or linger behind
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
underfootadverbUS /ˌʌndərˈfʊt/
under the feet
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
velvetyadjectiveUS /ˈvelvəti/
smooth and soft to sight or hearing or touch or taste
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Flowering ivy and climbing roses trailed here and there up the sides of the building, and there were so many rose bushes about in the gardens that the scent of them was quite heavy in the air.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A small fountain stood at either end of the enclosure, in which curious small silver fish jumped and splashed about in the late afternoon sun.
window-boxes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of these were open and in some of them were caged birds singing gloriously, and against all the sills were window-boxes full of flowers.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading "We stood in a spacious court, the blue sky overhead, velvety grass underfoot and the windows of the house all around us.
