used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
beatingsnounUS /ˈbiːtɪŋz/
plural of “beating” — the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
CornwallisnounUS /kɔːrnˈwɔːləs/
commander of the British forces in the American War of Independence; was defeated by American and French troops at Yorktown (1738-1805)
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
cosynounUS /ˈkoʊzi/
a padded cloth covering to keep a teapot warm
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
increase twofold
From this reading THE DOUBLE ENGAGEMENT.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading THE DOUBLE ENGAGEMENT.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading "O, these perfect June evenings!" exclaimed Ruth in a voice of soft rapture.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "O, these perfect June evenings!" exclaimed Ruth in a voice of soft rapture.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
the act of departing
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
heavenlyadjectiveUS /ˈhevənli/
relating to or inhabiting a divine heaven
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
indefinableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈfaɪnəbəl/
not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
lover-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
joined in matrimony
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
the light of the Moon
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading "O, these perfect June evenings!" exclaimed Ruth in a voice of soft rapture.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading "O, these perfect June evenings!" exclaimed Ruth in a voice of soft rapture.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
proximitynounUS /prɑːkˈsɪməti/
the property of being close together
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
rapturenounUS /ˈræptʃər/
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
From this reading "O, these perfect June evenings!" exclaimed Ruth in a voice of soft rapture.
rose-fragrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading "O, these perfect June evenings!" exclaimed Ruth in a voice of soft rapture.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
star-light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DOUBLE ENGAGEMENT.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "O, these perfect June evenings!" exclaimed Ruth in a voice of soft rapture.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
verandanounUS /vərˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "O, these perfect June evenings!" exclaimed Ruth in a voice of soft rapture.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage.
the words that are spoken
From this reading There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by."
