used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
AaronnounUS /ˈerən/
United States professional baseball player who hit more home runs than Babe Ruth (born in 1934)
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
anew
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see 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 Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
from appearances alone
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
bouldernounUS /ˈboʊldər/
a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The next day she came.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
ConfessionsnounUS /kənˈfeʃənz/
plural of “confession” — an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
put on clothes
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
opinion or judgment
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
GladenounUS /ɡleɪd/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
a quick look
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
granitenounUS /ˈɡrænət/
plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
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 The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
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 Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
and nothing more
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
organ-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The next day she came.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
splashverbUS /splæʃ/
cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
the season of growth
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
having a supporting base
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
undergrowthnounUS /ˈʌndərɡroʊθ/
the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
at the time that
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The artist had been looking long at a splash of sunlight that fell upon the gray granite boulder which was set in the green turf, and had turned to his canvas for--it seemed to him--only an instant.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
winsomeadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnsəm/
charming in a childlike or naive way
From this reading Many times, he turned to search the flickering light and shade of the undergrowth, behind him, for a glimpse of the girl's brown dress and winsome face.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When he looked again at the boulder, she was standing there--had, apparently, been standing there for some time, waiting with smiling lips and laughing eyes for him to see her.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Confessions in the Spring Glade All the next day, while he worked upon his picture in the glade, Aaron King listened for that voice in the organ-like music of the distant waters.
