adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
askverbUS /æsk/
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
babynounUS /ˈbeɪbi/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
cloudsnounUS /klaʊdz/
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
dancersnounUS /ˈdænsərz/
plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
dappledadjective
having spots or patches of color
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
darkeningadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənɪŋ/
becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
dispersingverbUS /dɪˈspɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “disperse” — distribute loosely
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdredfəl/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
drivenadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪvən/
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
ducksnounUS /dʌks/
plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
flashverbUS /flæʃ/
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
interruptedadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈʌptɪd/
discontinued temporarily
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
lakenounUS /leɪk/
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
lastingadjectiveUS /ˈlæstɪŋ/
continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
lightningnounUS /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
mistverbUS /mɪst/
become covered with mist
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
reedsnounUS /riːdz/
plural of “reed” — tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
shroudedverbUS /ˈʃraʊdɪd/
past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
softlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːftli/
with low volume
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
stormverbUS /stɔːrm/
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
swallowsnounUS /ˈswɑːloʊz/
plural of “swallow” — a small amount of liquid food
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
terrifyingadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪɪŋ/
causing extreme terror
From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
thunderverbUS /ˈθʌndər/
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
underneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
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 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
writingnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋ/
the act of creating written works
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
