used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
airsnounUS /erz/
affected manners intended to impress others
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
balmyadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːmi/
informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
beddedadjectiveUS /ˈbedɪd/
deposited or arranged in horizontal layers
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Perhaps they were old friends, like Godmother and my mother, only of course at the bottom of the sea.”
brackennounUS /ˈbrækən/
fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
Carey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do wonder,” Philomène was saying, “whether my merman knew the merman who was Carey’s godfather.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Perhaps they were old friends, like Godmother and my mother, only of course at the bottom of the sea.”
coverletnoun
a decorative bedspread (usually quilted)
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
Cushats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
dappledadjective
having spots or patches of color
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “I do wonder,” Philomène was saying, “whether my merman knew the merman who was Carey’s godfather.
dove-cot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
fairiesnounUS /ˈferiz/
plural of “fairy” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Perhaps they were old friends, like Godmother and my mother, only of course at the bottom of the sea.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
godfathernounUS /ˈɡɑːdfɑːðər/
any man who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism
From this reading “I do wonder,” Philomène was saying, “whether my merman knew the merman who was Carey’s godfather.
GodmothernounUS /ˈɡɑːdmʌðər/
any woman who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism
From this reading Perhaps they were old friends, like Godmother and my mother, only of course at the bottom of the sea.”
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
haha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
hammocknounUS /ˈhæmək/
a small natural hill
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I do wonder,” Philomène was saying, “whether my merman knew the merman who was Carey’s godfather.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
industriouslyadverb
in an industrious manner
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
intricateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəkət/
having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I do wonder,” Philomène was saying, “whether my merman knew the merman who was Carey’s godfather.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Perhaps they were old friends, like Godmother and my mother, only of course at the bottom of the sea.”
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
mermannounUS /ˈmɜːrmæn/
United States singer who appeared in several musical comedies (1909-1984)
From this reading “I do wonder,” Philomène was saying, “whether my merman knew the merman who was Carey’s godfather.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Perhaps they were old friends, like Godmother and my mother, only of course at the bottom of the sea.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I do wonder,” Philomène was saying, “whether my merman knew the merman who was Carey’s godfather.
nestlingnounUS /ˈnestlɪŋ/
young bird not yet fledged
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Perhaps they were old friends, like Godmother and my mother, only of course at the bottom of the sea.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
and nothing more
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
patchworknounUS /ˈpætʃwɜːrk/
a theory or argument made up of miscellaneous or incongruous ideas
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps they were old friends, like Godmother and my mother, only of course at the bottom of the sea.”
petalsnounUS /ˈpetəlz/
plural of “petal” — part of the perianth that is usually brightly colored
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
Philomène
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
pine-cone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
pine-tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading “I do wonder,” Philomène was saying, “whether my merman knew the merman who was Carey’s godfather.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Perhaps they were old friends, like Godmother and my mother, only of course at the bottom of the sea.”
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
skiesnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
Speedwellnoun
any plant of the genus Veronica
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
spider's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
Spireanoun
a Japanese shrub that resembles members of the genus Spiraea; widely cultivated in many varieties for its dense panicles of flowers in many colors; often forced by florists for Easter blooming
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
stitchedadjectiveUS /stɪtʃt/
fastened with stitches
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
sweetpeanoun
climbing garden plant having fragrant pastel-colored flowers
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
tendrils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Perhaps they were old friends, like Godmother and my mother, only of course at the bottom of the sea.”
twinnounUS /twɪn/
either of two offspring born at the same time from the same pregnancy
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
undergrowthnounUS /ˈʌndərɡroʊθ/
the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was August still, and early evening; an evening of balmy airs and dappled skies.
webnounUS /web/
an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading “I do wonder,” Philomène was saying, “whether my merman knew the merman who was Carey’s godfather.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Speedwell was seated in a swinging hammock of green tendrils, in among the undergrowth, and was busy making herself some intricate spider’s web lace, while Spirea, on a fallen pine-cone, stitched away industriously at a dainty patchwork coverlet of sweetpea petals for the bed in the dove-cot.
which person or people
From this reading “I do wonder,” Philomène was saying, “whether my merman knew the merman who was Carey’s godfather.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading “I do wonder,” Philomène was saying, “whether my merman knew the merman who was Carey’s godfather.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Philomène, bedded in bracken, lay nestling at the foot of a mighty pine-tree on the outskirts of the woods, separated only by a haha from the garden of the Cushats, and the twin fairies were with her.
