used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
(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 A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
in addition
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
ascentnounUS /əˈsent/
an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
ashnounUS /æʃ/
the residue that remains when something is burned
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
bereavednounUS /bərˈiːvd/
a person who has suffered the death of someone they loved
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
the two together, not just one
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
breastsnounUS /brests/
plural of “breast” — the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But soon only two leaves were left vibrating.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
clearestadjectiveUS /ˈklɪrɪst/
superlative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
companiesnounUS /ˈkʌmpəniːz/
plural of “company” — an institution created to conduct business
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
curvingadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrvɪŋ/
having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
diversadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪvərz/
many and different
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
goddessesnounUS /ˈɡɑːdəsɪz/
plural of “goddess” — a female deity
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
healedadjectiveUS /hiːld/
freed from illness or injury
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
ten 10s
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
husknounUS /hʌsk/
material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
intolerablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbli/
to an unacceptable degree
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
lastlyadverbUS /ˈlæstli/
the item at the end
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
LeafletnounUS /ˈliːflət/
a thin triangular flap of a heart valve
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
leafletsnounUS /ˈliːfləts/
plural of “leaflet” — a thin triangular flap of a heart valve
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
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 But soon only two leaves were left vibrating.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
for more time
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
lustrousadjectiveUS /ˈlʌstrəs/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
engage in
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
METAMORPHOSISnounUS /ˌmet.əˈmɔːr.fə.sɪs/
A change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one.
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
minglesverbUS /ˈmɪŋɡəlz/
third-person singular of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
a particular point in time
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
nestsnounUS /nests/
plural of “nest” — a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
obliviousadjectiveUS /əˈblɪviəs/
(followed by “to” or “of”) lacking conscious awareness of
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
on one occasion
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
and nothing more
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
pearlnounUS /pɜːrl/
a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
poppynounUS /ˈpɑːpi/
annual or biennial or perennial herbs having showy flowers
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
with speed
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
scribbleverbUS /ˈskrɪbəl/
write down quickly without much attention to detail
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
shadowedadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊd/
filled with shade
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
sheddingnounUS /ˈʃedɪŋ/
the process whereby something is shed
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
slantingadjectiveUS /ˈslæntɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
slopingadjectiveUS /ˈsloʊpɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
in the near future
From this reading But soon only two leaves were left vibrating.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
spendsverbUS /spendz/
third-person singular of “spend” — use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
stalkverbUS /stɔːk/
walk stiffly
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
not in physical motion
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
swiftnessnounUS /ˈswɪftnəs/
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
tensnounUS /tenz/
plural of “ten” — the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
threesnounUS /θriːz/
plural of “three” — the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
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 METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
tree-top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
twentiesnounUS /ˈtwentiz/
the time of life between 20 and 30
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
two times
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
twirledverbUS /twɜːrld/
past form of “twirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But soon only two leaves were left vibrating.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
precisely as stated
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
vibratingverbUS /ˈvaɪbreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “vibrate” — shake, quiver, or throb; move back and forth rapidly, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading But soon only two leaves were left vibrating.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading THE METAMORPHOSIS As the sun rose I watched a proud ash tree shedding its leaves after a night of frost.
wave-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But soon only two leaves were left vibrating.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
at the time that
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading In a little while they also, both together, make the leap, twinkling for a short space and then shadowed and lastly bright and silent on the grass.
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading A gentle wind arose from the north and the leaves all went sloping in larger companies to the ground--falling, falling, whispering as they joined the fallen, they fell for a longer time than a poppy spends in opening and shedding its husk in June.
windlessadjective
without or almost without wind
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
wingedadjectiveUS /wɪŋd/
having wings or as if having wings of a specified kind
From this reading But by the next day the grief was healed, for what was clearest about its branches was the swiftness and downward rushing and curving flight which they suggested--as of birds stooping in lines to their tree-top nests--as of divers at the moment when their descent mingles with their ascent--as of winged Greek gods and goddesses slanting to earth with wave-like breasts.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It let them go by threes and tens and twenties; very rarely, with little intervals, only one at a time; once or twice a hundred in one flight.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Leaflet--for they fall by leaflets--and stalk twirled through the windless air as if they would have liked to fall not quite so rapidly as their companions to that brown and shining and oblivious carpet below.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Then the tree stood up entirely bereaved and without a voice, in the silver light of the morning that was still young, and wrote once more its grief in complicated scribble upon a sky of intolerably lustrous pearl.
