used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
bestowedverbUS /bɪˈstoʊd/
past form of “bestow” — present
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
lacking funds
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
Burke'snounUS /bɜːrks/
possessive form of “burke” — British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
Can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Can’t I help?”
chalcedonynounUS /ˈtʃælsədoʊni/
a milky or greyish translucent to transparent quartz
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
deepenedverbUS /ˈdiːpənd/
past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
drowsyadjectiveUS /ˈdraʊzi/
half asleep
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
frownverbUS /fraʊn/
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
glowingadjectiveUS /ˈɡloʊɪŋ/
highly enthusiastic
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading “Can’t I help?”
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Can’t I help?”
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
leantverbUS /ˈliːənt/
inflected form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
noontidenoun
the middle of the day
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
having a point
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
pulsatingverbUS /ˈpʌlseɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “pulsate” — expand and contract rhythmically; beat rhythmically
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
sapphireadjectiveUS /ˈsæfaɪər/
of something having the color of a blue sapphire
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
scientificallyadverbUS /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪkəli/
with respect to science; in a scientific way
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
scissorsnounUS /ˈsɪzərz/
an edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
shadow's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
skiesnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
snippingnoun
a small piece of anything (especially a piece that has been snipped off)
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
the season of growth
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
stemsnounUS /stemz/
plural of “stem” — (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
sundialnounUS /ˈsʌndaɪl/
timepiece that indicates the daylight hours by the shadow that the gnomon casts on a calibrated dial
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
tremulousadjectiveUS /ˈtremjələs/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
in or at the place that
From this reading On the sundial, the shadow’s finger pointed to twelve o’clock, and the sleepy hush of noontide hung over the rose garden where Jean was gathering roses for the house.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Burke’s voice broke across the drowsy quiet so unexpectedly that she jumped, almost letting fall the scissors with which she was scientifically snipping the stems of the roses.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE chalcedony of the spring skies had deepened into the glowing sapphire of early June--a deep, pulsating blue, tremulous with heat.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading She bestowed a small frown upon the head and shoulders appearing above the wooden gate on which he leant.
