adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
actverbUS /ækt/
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
appreciableadjectiveUS /əˈpriːʃəbəl/
enough to be estimated or measured
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
bridgesnounUS /ˈbrɪdʒəz/
United States labor leader who organized the longshoremen (1901-1990)
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
busynessnoun
the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
canonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
catchesnounUS /ˈkætʃəz/
plural of “catch” — a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
cessationnounUS /ˌseˈseɪʃən/
a stopping
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
driftsnounUS /drɪfts/
plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
earnounUS /iːr/
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
edgesnounUS /ˈedʒəz/
plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
eternaladjectiveUS /ɪˈtɜːrnəl/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
fifteennounUS /fɪfˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
givesnounUS /ɡɪvz/
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
HereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
hintnounUS /hɪnt/
an indirect suggestion
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
icenounUS /aɪs/
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
markverbUS /mɑːrk/
attach a tag or label to
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/
the middle of the day
From this reading They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
mountainnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
of an obscure nature
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
niggardnounUS /ˈnɪɡərd/
a selfish person who is unwilling to give or spend
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
patentverbUS /ˈpætənt/
obtain a patent for
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
runverbUS /rʌn/
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
runningadjectiveUS /ˈrʌnɪŋ/
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
saggingadjectiveUS /ˈsæɡɪŋ/
hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
scantadjectiveUS /skænt/
less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
seasonnounUS /ˈsiːzən/
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
seldomadverbUS /ˈseldəm/
not often
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
springnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
streamsnounUS /striːmz/
plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
tearsnounUS /terz/
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
thawnounUS /θɔː/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They are always at it, but one so seldom catches them in the act.
thinlyadverbUS /ˈθɪnli/
without force or sincere effort
From this reading They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
tinklenounUS /ˈtɪŋkəl/
a light clear metallic sound as of a small bell
From this reading They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading An ear laid to the snow catches a muffled hint of their eternal busyness fifteen or twenty feet under the canon drifts, and long before any appreciable spring thaw, the sagging edges of the snow bridges mark out the place of their running.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading They make the most of their midday hour, and tinkle all night thinly under the ice.
understandingnounUS /ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ/
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading The origin of mountain streams is like the origin of tears, patent to the understanding but mysterious to the sense.
valleynounUS /ˈvæli/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
watersnounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Here in the valley there is no cessation of waters even in the season when the niggard frost gives them scant leave to run.
