used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
aftermathnounUS /ˈæftərmæθ/
the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
beechnounUS /biːtʃ/
any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth grey bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions
From this reading They passed one copper beech, tinted like the understrands of Ferlie's hair.
broodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/
sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
cared-foradjective
having needed care and attention
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
carpetingnounUS /ˈkɑːrpətɪŋ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
coppernounUS /ˈkɑːpər/
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
From this reading They passed one copper beech, tinted like the understrands of Ferlie's hair.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
curvingadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrvɪŋ/
having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
CypriannounUS /ˈsɪpriən/
a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
desolationnounUS /ˌdesəˈleɪʃən/
the state of being decayed or destroyed
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
Ferlie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed one copper beech, tinted like the understrands of Ferlie's hair.
flamingadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
GiganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading They passed one copper beech, tinted like the understrands of Ferlie's hair.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
inkyadjectiveUS /ˈɪŋki/
of the color of black ink
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
jewel-coloured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
immediately past
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading They passed one copper beech, tinted like the understrands of Ferlie's hair.
milkyadjectiveUS /ˈmɪlki/
resembling milk in color; not clear
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
obviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They passed one copper beech, tinted like the understrands of Ferlie's hair.
opalnounUS /ˈoʊpəl/
a translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color; some varieties are used as gemstones
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
over-luxuriant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading They passed one copper beech, tinted like the understrands of Ferlie's hair.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
relieveverbUS /rɪˈliːv/
provide physical relief, as from pain
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
shadowedadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊd/
filled with shade
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
silhouetteverbUS /ˌsɪləˈwet/
project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
swirlverbUS /swɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
thickeningadjectiveUS /ˈθɪkənɪŋ/
accumulating and becoming more intense
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
tintedverbUS /ˈtɪntɪd/
past form of “tint” — color lightly
From this reading They passed one copper beech, tinted like the understrands of Ferlie's hair.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading Gigantic trees shadowed the curving drive; every now and then sending a swirl of jewel-coloured leaves to join their brothers carpeting the soft turf.
turretnounUS /ˈtɜːrət/
a small tower extending above a building
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
understrands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed one copper beech, tinted like the understrands of Ferlie's hair.
vegetationnounUS /ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃən/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
Well-merited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well-merited the name, Cyprian thought, as the solid old turret towers rose at last, picked out in inky silhouette against the flaming aftermath of sunset cloud.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
at the time that
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But, though the grounds were obviously well cared-for, nothing could relieve a brooding sense of desolation, due to the over-luxuriant vegetation which darkened the surroundings of an already dark, if beautiful, house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Autumn twilight was thickening with milky opal reflections when they rolled through the heavy iron gates of the park.
