adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
abandoningverbUS /əˈbændənɪŋ/
-ing form of “abandon” — forsake, leave behind
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 “And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
brownnounUS /braʊn/
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
cheeksnounUS /tʃiːks/
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
datenounUS /deɪt/
the specified day of the month
From this reading “And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
distinguishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
domedadjectiveUS /doʊmd/
having a hemispherical vault or dome
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
earlieradverbUS /ˈɜːrliər/
earlier in time; previously
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
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 —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
fingersnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərz/
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
foreheadnounUS /ˈfɔːrhed/
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
Forsyte
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
glorynounUS /ˈɡlɔːri/
a state of high honor
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
hatnounUS /hæt/
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading “And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
HillnounUS /hɪl/
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
jawverbUS /dʒɔː/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
Jolyon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
leasenounUS /liːs/
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading “And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
long-nailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
midgesnounUS /ˈmɪdʒəz/
plural of “midge” — minute two-winged mosquito-like fly lacking biting mouthparts; appear in dancing swarms especially near water
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
moustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
nailverbUS /neɪl/
attach something somewhere by means of nails
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
ninetiesnounUS /ˈnaɪntiz/
the decade from 1890 to 1899
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
oaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
PanamanounUS /ˈpænəmɑː/
a republic on the Isthmus of Panama; achieved independence from Colombia in 1903
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
pointedadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪntɪd/
having a point
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
RobinnounUS /ˈrɑːbən/
small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading “And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
Summer'snounUS /ˈsʌmərz/
possessive form of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading “And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
sunshinenounUS /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/
the rays of the sun
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
survivedverbUS /sərˈvaɪvd/
past form of “survive” — continue to live and avoid dying
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
taperingadjectiveUS /ˈteɪpərɪŋ/
becoming gradually narrower
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
tipsnounUS /tɪps/
plural of “tip” — the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
touchverbUS /tʌtʃ/
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
treenounUS /triː/
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading —Shakespeare In the last day of May in the early ’nineties, about six o’clock of the evening, old Jolyon Forsyte sat under the oak tree below the terrace of his house at Robin Hill.
veinsnounUS /veɪnz/
plural of “vein” — a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
VictorianadjectiveUS /vɪkˈtɔːriən/
of or relating to Queen Victoria of Great Britain or to the age in which she ruled
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was waiting for the midges to bite him, before abandoning the glory of the afternoon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
westering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading His domed forehead, great white moustache, lean cheeks, and long lean jaw were covered from the westering sunshine by an old brown Panama hat.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading His thin brown hand, where blue veins stood out, held the end of a cigar in its tapering, long-nailed fingers—a pointed polished nail had survived with him from those earlier Victorian days when to touch nothing, even with the tips of the fingers, had been so distinguished.
