used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was a stinging cold though sunshiny afternoon.
AlongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
benumbedadjective
lacking sensation
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
buzzardnounUS /ˈbʌzərd/
a New World vulture that is common in South America and Central America and the southern United States
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading It was a stinging cold though sunshiny afternoon.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
coursingnounUS /ˈkɔːrsɪŋ/
hunting with dogs (usually greyhounds) that are trained to chase game (such as hares) by sight instead of by scent
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
featheryadjectiveUS /ˈfeðəri/
resembling or suggesting a feather or feathers
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
fernsnounUS /fɜːrnz/
plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
footprintsnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnts/
plural of “footprint” — a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
huenounUS /hjuː/
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
ink-blot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a stinging cold though sunshiny afternoon.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
mantlenounUS /ˈmæntəl/
the cloak as a symbol of authority
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
pacedverbUS /peɪst/
past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
coated with paint
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
panenounUS /peɪn/
sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
pigeonnounUS /ˈpɪdʒən/
wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
powderingverbUS /ˈpaʊdərɪŋ/
-ing form of “powder” — make into a powder by breaking up or cause to become dust
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
puritynounUS /ˈpjʊrəti/
being undiluted or unmixed with extraneous material
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
quarrelsomeadjectiveUS /ˈkwɔːrəlsəm/
given to quarreling
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
Record-Room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
saffron-tinted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
sentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/
plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
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 frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
sluggishadjectiveUS /ˈslʌɡɪʃ/
moving slowly
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
sparrowsnounUS /ˈsperoʊz/
plural of “sparrow” — any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
STARKadjectiveUS /stɑːrk/
devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
stingingnounUS /ˈstɪŋɪŋ/
a kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung
From this reading It was a stinging cold though sunshiny afternoon.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
sunshiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a stinging cold though sunshiny afternoon.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was a stinging cold though sunshiny afternoon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading Along the wall the sentries, as they paced, swung benumbed arms to start the sluggish blood coursing to warmth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
weednounUS /wiːd/
any plant that crowds out cultivated plants
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
a Caucasian
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
wideningnounUS /ˈwaɪdənɪŋ/
an increase in width
From this reading Here and there on the hard ground a pigeon traced its feathery footprints, startling the quarrelsome sparrows, and above in the clear sky a buzzard drew widening circles, an ink-blot on the blue.
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 THE COMING OF JOHN STARK Harry rose from his seat at the desk in the Record-Room and went over to the window.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The frost had painted silver ferns and sea weed on its pane, and the prison yard, under the high, saffron-tinted sun, was white with a light powdering of snow which hid its harsh outlines and dingy yellow hue with a mantle of purity and beauty.
