used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
in addition
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
next to; at the side of
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
buzzardsnounUS /ˈbʌzərdz/
plural of “buzzard” — a New World vulture that is common in South America and Central America and the southern United States
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
cheeringnounUS /ˈtʃɪrɪŋ/
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
circlingverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
the act of departing
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/
in a graceful manner
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
for more time
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
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 The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
Midbranch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
ploughsnounUS /plaʊz/
plural of “plough” — a group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
Roberta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this field also moved, not so fast, nor so gracefully as the shadows, two ploughs, one near by, and the other at quite a distance.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
turkeynounUS /ˈtɜːrki/
large gallinaceous bird with fan-shaped tail; widely domesticated for food
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
which person or people
From this reading The day was bright and sunny, and the shadows of two or three turkey buzzards, who were circling in the air, moved over the field in front of the house.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading On the morning of her uncle's departure from Midbranch, Roberta came out on the porch, and took her seat in a large wooden arm-chair, putting down her key basket on the floor beside her.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The woods which shut out a great part of the horizon showed many a bit of color, but the scene, although bright enough in some of its tones, was not a cheering one to Roberta; and she needed cheering.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading Had it not been for the delay of her father in making his winter visit to New York, she would now be in that city, but if things had gone on as she expected they would, she would have been perfectly satisfied to remain several weeks longer at Midbranch.
