used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Something like a fresh-water seaweed moved slowly back and forth, as Arethusa stirred the water above it.
absent-mindedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
(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 But for all its inviting appearance, it was treacherously slimy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading But for all its inviting appearance, it was treacherously slimy.
Arethusanoun
any of several bog orchids of the genus Arethusa having 1 or 2 showy flowers
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Something like a fresh-water seaweed moved slowly back and forth, as Arethusa stirred the water above it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Something like a fresh-water seaweed moved slowly back and forth, as Arethusa stirred the water above it.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading It would have been hard for even nimble-footed Arethusa to keep her balance on those rocks.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It would have been hard for even nimble-footed Arethusa to keep her balance on those rocks.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Under the stone it was cool shadow and the rocks on the bottom of the Branch gleamed invitingly green.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But for all its inviting appearance, it was treacherously slimy.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading Under the stone it was cool shadow and the rocks on the bottom of the Branch gleamed invitingly green.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
divisible by two
From this reading It would have been hard for even nimble-footed Arethusa to keep her balance on those rocks.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
flippedverbUS /flɪpt/
inflected form of “flip” — lightly throw to see which side comes up
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for all its inviting appearance, it was treacherously slimy.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Something like a fresh-water seaweed moved slowly back and forth, as Arethusa stirred the water above it.
fresh-water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something like a fresh-water seaweed moved slowly back and forth, as Arethusa stirred the water above it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Under the stone it was cool shadow and the rocks on the bottom of the Branch gleamed invitingly green.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Under the stone it was cool shadow and the rocks on the bottom of the Branch gleamed invitingly green.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It would have been hard for even nimble-footed Arethusa to keep her balance on those rocks.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It would have been hard for even nimble-footed Arethusa to keep her balance on those rocks.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It would have been hard for even nimble-footed Arethusa to keep her balance on those rocks.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading But for all its inviting appearance, it was treacherously slimy.
invitinglyadverb
in a tantalizing manner
From this reading Under the stone it was cool shadow and the rocks on the bottom of the Branch gleamed invitingly green.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Under the stone it was cool shadow and the rocks on the bottom of the Branch gleamed invitingly green.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But for all its inviting appearance, it was treacherously slimy.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It would have been hard for even nimble-footed Arethusa to keep her balance on those rocks.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Something like a fresh-water seaweed moved slowly back and forth, as Arethusa stirred the water above it.
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 Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
low-drooping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Something like a fresh-water seaweed moved slowly back and forth, as Arethusa stirred the water above it.
nimble-footed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been hard for even nimble-footed Arethusa to keep her balance on those rocks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Under the stone it was cool shadow and the rocks on the bottom of the Branch gleamed invitingly green.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
seaweednounUS /ˈsiːwiːd/
plant growing in the sea, especially marine algae
From this reading Something like a fresh-water seaweed moved slowly back and forth, as Arethusa stirred the water above it.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Under the stone it was cool shadow and the rocks on the bottom of the Branch gleamed invitingly green.
slimyadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪmi/
covered with or resembling slime
From this reading But for all its inviting appearance, it was treacherously slimy.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Something like a fresh-water seaweed moved slowly back and forth, as Arethusa stirred the water above it.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something like a fresh-water seaweed moved slowly back and forth, as Arethusa stirred the water above it.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Something like a fresh-water seaweed moved slowly back and forth, as Arethusa stirred the water above it.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
switchverbUS /swɪtʃ/
change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would have been hard for even nimble-footed Arethusa to keep her balance on those rocks.
treacherouslyadverb
in a disloyal and faithless manner
From this reading But for all its inviting appearance, it was treacherously slimy.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Under the stone it was cool shadow and the rocks on the bottom of the Branch gleamed invitingly green.
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 Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
willownounUS /ˈwɪloʊ/
any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Arethusa sat on a big, smooth stone at the edge of the Branch, under the low-drooping willow tree that leaned far over those clear waters, and absent-mindedly flipped at the water with a long switch broken from the tree.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would have been hard for even nimble-footed Arethusa to keep her balance on those rocks.
