used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ALLIES A thaw set in.
(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 All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
ALLIESnounUS /ˈælaɪz/
the alliance of nations that fought the Axis in World War II and which (with subsequent additions) signed the charter of the United Nations in 1945
From this reading ALLIES A thaw set in.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
uttered without voice
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
breathesverbUS /briːðz/
third-person singular of “breathe” — draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
chimneysnounUS /ˈtʃɪmniz/
plural of “chimney” — 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 With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
not accessible to view
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
the first light of day
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
gargoylesnounUS /ˈɡɑːrɡɔɪlz/
plural of “gargoyle” — a spout that terminates in a grotesquely carved figure of a person or animal
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
handiworknounUS /ˈhændiwɜːrk/
a work produced by hand labor
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ALLIES A thaw set in.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
the act of departing
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
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 In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
Oise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
ornamentalnounUS /ˌɔːrnəˈmentəl/
any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
parapetnounUS /ˈperəpet/
a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
roaringnounUS /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/
a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
sappedverbUS /sæpt/
inflected form of “sap” — deplete
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading ALLIES A thaw set in.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
spongeverbUS /spʌndʒ/
wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
not in physical motion
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
streamingadjectiveUS /ˈstriːmɪŋ/
exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
thawnounUS /θɔː/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading ALLIES A thaw set in.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
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 With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading All night the snow hurried from the branches, slid down the tree trunks, sank into the ground.
tunnelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
unburiedadjective
not buried
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
uncoveredadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌvərd/
not covered with clothing
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Sank into the moss, which suddenly uncovered, breathed water as a sponge breathes beneath the sea; sank into the Oise, which set up a roaring as the rising water sapped and tunnelled under its banks.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading With a noise of thunder the winter roof of the villa slipped down and fell into the garden--leaving the handiwork of man exposed to the dawn--streaming tiles, ornamental chimneys, unburied gargoyles, parapet, and towers of wood.
but in spite of that
From this reading In a still earlier hour, while darkness yet concealed the change of aspect, Fanny left the garden with a lantern in her hand.
