used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About noon on Friday Milly Flaxman awoke.
anew
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading There seemed nothing unusual in that; she always slept with her windows open.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
associatedverbUS /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/
past form of “associate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading About noon on Friday Milly Flaxman awoke.
balmyadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːmi/
informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
capriciousadjectiveUS /kəˈprɪʃəs/
changeable
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
intentionally conceived
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
curvenounUS /kɜːrv/
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
Flaxman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About noon on Friday Milly Flaxman awoke.
FridaynounUS /ˈfraɪdi/
the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
From this reading About noon on Friday Milly Flaxman awoke.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
jessamine-pattern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
leafyadjectiveUS /ˈliːfi/
having or covered with leaves
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
Milly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About noon on Friday Milly Flaxman awoke.
mistsnounUS /mɪsts/
plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
the middle of the day
From this reading About noon on Friday Milly Flaxman awoke.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There seemed nothing unusual in that; she always slept with her windows open.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading About noon on Friday Milly Flaxman awoke.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There seemed nothing unusual in that; she always slept with her windows open.
plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
sharpnessnounUS /ˈʃɑːrpnəs/
a quick and penetrating intelligence
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading There seemed nothing unusual in that; she always slept with her windows open.
with low volume
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
the rays of the sun
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There seemed nothing unusual in that; she always slept with her windows open.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There seemed nothing unusual in that; she always slept with her windows open.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
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 windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading There seemed nothing unusual in that; she always slept with her windows open.
precisely as stated
From this reading She lay very quiet, sleepy and comfortable, her eyes fixed idly on a curve in the jessamine-pattern paper opposite her bed.
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But as her senses emerged from those mists which lie on the surface of the river of sleep, she was conscious of a balmy warmth in the room, of an impression of bright sunshine behind the dark blinds, and of noises from the streets reaching her with a kind of sharpness associated with sunshine.
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The windows were wide open, the blinds down and every now and again flapping softly, as a capricious little breeze went by, whispering through the leafy trees outside.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There seemed nothing unusual in that; she always slept with her windows open.
