adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading She missed the soft blue haze that mellowed the landscape among the English hills.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
birchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading She missed the soft blue haze that mellowed the landscape among the English hills.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
branchesnounUS /ˈbræntʃəz/
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
checkeredadjectiveUS /ˈtʃekərd/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
cloudsnounUS /klaʊdz/
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading She missed the soft blue haze that mellowed the landscape among the English hills.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
Festing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
grassverbUS /ɡræs/
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
hazenounUS /heɪz/
atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
From this reading She missed the soft blue haze that mellowed the landscape among the English hills.
HelennounUS /ˈhelən/
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
hillsnounUS /hɪlz/
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading She missed the soft blue haze that mellowed the landscape among the English hills.
horsenounUS /hɔːrs/
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
invigoratingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪɡəreɪtɪŋ/
imparting strength and vitality
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading She missed the soft blue haze that mellowed the landscape among the English hills.
leavesnounUS /liːvz/
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
MEETINGnounUS /ˈmiːtɪŋ/
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
mellowedadjectiveUS /ˈmeloʊd/
having a full and pleasing flavor through proper aging
From this reading She missed the soft blue haze that mellowed the landscape among the English hills.
missedadjectiveUS /mɪst/
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading She missed the soft blue haze that mellowed the landscape among the English hills.
musicaladjectiveUS /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/
characterized by or capable of producing music
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
north-westadverb
to, toward, or in the northwest
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
openingnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
pulledverbUS /pʊld/
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
rodeverbUS /roʊd/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
rolledadjectiveUS /roʊld/
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
rustlingnounUS /ˈrʌslɪŋ/
the stealing of cattle
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading She missed the soft blue haze that mellowed the landscape among the English hills.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
strangelyadverbUS /ˈstreɪndʒli/
in a strange manner
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
sweptadjectiveUS /swept/
possessing sweep
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was something strangely invigorating in the air, but when she reached the bluff Helen pulled up her horse and looked about.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
touchedadjectiveUS /tʌtʃt/
having come into contact
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
treesnounUS /triːz/
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 The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
tuftedadjectiveUS /ˈtʌftɪd/
(of plants) growing in small dense clumps or tufts
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
UNEXPECTEDadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪd/
not expected or anticipated
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading The sweep of white grass was checkered by patches of green that gleamed when the light touched them and faded as the shadows swept across the plain.
white-edgedadjective
having a white border
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MEETING It was a bright afternoon and white-edged clouds rolled across the sky before a fresh north-west wind when Helen Festing rode up to a birch bluff on the prairie.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The trees made a musical rustling as they tossed their branches, tufted with opening leaves.
