used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
absorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Now, alone, the thought of what this day held for him absorbed him.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Now, alone, the thought of what this day held for him absorbed him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
blue-bottle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
buzzedverbUS /bʌzd/
past form of “buzz” — make a buzzing sound
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
ChillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
court-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "One year!" he had said to himself on the day of that old court-house trial.
curdledadjective
transformed from a liquid into a soft semisolid or solid mass
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Now, alone, the thought of what this day held for him absorbed him.
encounterverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
figured-silk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
flutingnoun
a groove or furrow in cloth etc (particularly a shallow concave groove on the shaft of a column)
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
flutteredverbUS /ˈflʌtərd/
past form of “flutter” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now, alone, the thought of what this day held for him absorbed him.
fountainnounUS /ˈfaʊntən/
a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "One year!" he had said to himself on the day of that old court-house trial.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Now, alone, the thought of what this day held for him absorbed him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now, alone, the thought of what this day held for him absorbed him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "One year!" he had said to himself on the day of that old court-house trial.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
joyouslyadverb
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, alone, the thought of what this day held for him absorbed him.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "One year!" he had said to himself on the day of that old court-house trial.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "One year!" he had said to himself on the day of that old court-house trial.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "One year!" he had said to himself on the day of that old court-house trial.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "One year!" he had said to himself on the day of that old court-house trial.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
Identical; not different.
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
shimmerverbUS /ˈʃɪmər/
shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
splashingnounUS /ˈsplæʃɪŋ/
the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
tentativelyadverbUS /ˈtentətɪvli/
in a tentative manner
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "One year!" he had said to himself on the day of that old court-house trial.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Now, alone, the thought of what this day held for him absorbed him.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Now, alone, the thought of what this day held for him absorbed him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
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 A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
the act of testing something
From this reading "One year!" he had said to himself on the day of that old court-house trial.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Now, alone, the thought of what this day held for him absorbed him.
in or at the place that
From this reading THE HEART OF A MAN An hour later Harry sat in the same pleasant room, looking out where curdled clouds set their silver sails in the pale shimmer of sky.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The encounter with Chilly had broken into his mood, which had been occupied with more inviting things.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading "One year!" he had said to himself on the day of that old court-house trial.
