used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
absorptionnounUS /əbˈzɔːrpʃən/
(chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
afaradverbUS /əˈfɑːr/
(old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
(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 was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
breatheverbUS /briːð/
draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
ceaselesslyadverbUS /ˈsiːzləsli/
with unflagging resolve
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
cockverbUS /kɑːk/
tilt or slant to one side
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
contemplatedverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/
past form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
conversionnounUS /kənˈvɜːrʒən/
an event that results in a transformation
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
Coucou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
placed crosswise
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
a feeling of excitement
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
excessiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsesɪv/
beyond normal limits
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
exclamationsnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃənz/
plural of “exclamation” — an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
expandedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspændəd/
increased in extent or size or bulk or scope
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
the organ of sight
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
fadeverbUS /feɪd/
become less clearly visible or distinguishable; disappear gradually or seemingly
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
feather-bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
fowl-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
Frantz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
gablesnounUS /ˈɡeɪbəlz/
plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
garden-gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
Graufthal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
only a very short time before
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
heroicadjectiveUS /hɪˈroʊɪk/
very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
industrynounUS /ˈɪndəstri/
the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
inflatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfleɪtɪd/
enlarged beyond truth or reasonableness
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
kerbnounUS /kɜːrb/
an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
larknounUS /lɑːrk/
North American songbirds having a yellow breast
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
provided with artificial light
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
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 The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
lucidadjectiveUS /ˈluːsəd/
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
Mathéus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
meditationsnounUS /ˌmedɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “meditation” — continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
miraculousadjectiveUS /mərˈækjələs/
being or having the character of a miracle
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
mossyadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːsi/
overgrown with moss
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
not any; not one
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
outrageouslyadverbUS /ˌaʊˈtreɪdʒəsli/
in a very offensive manner
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
penetratingadjectiveUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
perspireverbUS /pərˈspaɪr/
excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
poplars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
with low volume
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
rusticadjectiveUS /ˈrʌstɪk/
characteristic of rural life
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
deliver by singing
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
skylightsnounUS /ˈskaɪlaɪts/
plural of “skylight” — a window in a roof to admit daylight
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
speechlessadjectiveUS /ˈspiːtʃləs/
temporarily incapable of speaking
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
topmostadjective
at or nearest to the top
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
in the direction of
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
undistinguishableadjective
not capable of being distinguished or differentiated
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
precisely as stated
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All was silent; the sun hardly lit the topmost leaves of the poplars; deep stillness reigned in the air; Mathéus, seated on the kerb of the cellar steps, contemplated in speechless absorption the aspect of this rustic dwelling and the repose of nature.
in or at the place that
From this reading The large mossy roofs, the long beams crossed by man’s industry, the tall gables, the dull skylights; in the background, the garden-gate opening into the fields, where the darkness was already beginning to fade; the vague and undistinguishable forms of the trees—all plunged the Doctor into the most agreeable meditations.
Windling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
in the company of; together with
From this reading That night Frantz Mathéus could not close an eye; he ceaselessly tossed and turned with a noble enthusiasm in his feather-bed, and muttered exclamations of triumph.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Slowly the daylight descended from the roofs, and shadows grew larger in the yard below; then afar off—very far—Mathéus heard a lark sing; then a cock put his head out of the window of the fowl-house, made a step forward, and expanded his shining wings to the fresh morning air; a thrill of pleasure raised all his feathers; he inflated his chest and sent forth a shrill, piercing, prolonged cry, that reached to the surrounding woods.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading His heroic flight from Graufthal, the miraculous conversion of Coucou Peter, his hospitable reception by Mother Windling, kept running in his head; he felt no desire to sleep; on the contrary, never had his mind been more active, more lucid, more penetrating; but the excessive warmth of his bed made him perspire outrageously; so, towards morning, he dressed himself and quietly descended into the yard to breathe.
