used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
(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 He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
awkwardlyadverbUS /ˈɔːkwərdli/
in an awkward manner
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
Caston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what had taken Caston by the throat was the glamour of repose on that old house.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
chimney-tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
give a description of
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
emeraldnounUS /ˈemrəld/
a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
flankingverbUS /ˈflæŋkɪŋ/
-ing form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
flickeredverbUS /ˈflɪkərd/
past form of “flicker” — move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
glamournounUS /ˈɡlæmər/
alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)
From this reading But what had taken Caston by the throat was the glamour of repose on that old house.
glintverbUS /ɡlɪnt/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
coins made of gold
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But what had taken Caston by the throat was the glamour of repose on that old house.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
impelledadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpeld/
urged or forced to action through moral pressure
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
ivynounUS /ˈaɪvi/
Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
mellowedadjectiveUS /ˈmeloʊd/
having a full and pleasing flavor through proper aging
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
not any; not one
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But what had taken Caston by the throat was the glamour of repose on that old house.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading But what had taken Caston by the throat was the glamour of repose on that old house.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/
plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
stacksnounUS /stæks/
a large number or amount
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading But what had taken Caston by the throat was the glamour of repose on that old house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading But what had taken Caston by the throat was the glamour of repose on that old house.
tilesnounUS /taɪlz/
plural of “tile” — a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two great chimney stacks stood high, not rising from the roof, but from the sides of the house, flanking it like sentinels, and over these, too, the ivy climbed.
unsaidadjectiveUS /ənˈsed/
not made explicit
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But what had taken Caston by the throat was the glamour of repose on that old house.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what had taken Caston by the throat was the glamour of repose on that old house.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Birds flickered about the lawn, and though the windows stood open, and the grass was emerald green and smooth, no smoke rose from any of the chimney-tops.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The tiles of the roof were mellowed by centuries, so that shade ran into shade; and here they were almost purple, and there brown with a glint of gold.
but in spite of that
From this reading He stumbled on awkwardly, impelled to describe the house, yet aware that his description left all unsaid.
