used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The pine forests exhaled a fresher spicery.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The azaleas were already budding; the ceanothus getting ready its lilac livery for spring.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Signs of spring were visible in the swelling buds and rushing torrents.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
azaleasnounUS /əˈzeɪljəz/
plural of “azalea” — any of numerous ornamental shrubs grown for their showy flowers of various colors
From this reading The azaleas were already budding; the ceanothus getting ready its lilac livery for spring.
bellsnounUS /belz/
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
broad-leavedadjective
having relatively broad rather than needlelike or scalelike leaves
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
buddingnounUS /ˈbʌdɪŋ/
reproduction of some unicellular organisms (such as yeasts) by growth and specialization followed by the separation by constriction of a part of the parent
From this reading The azaleas were already budding; the ceanothus getting ready its lilac livery for spring.
budsnounUS /bʌdz/
plural of “bud” — a partially opened flower
From this reading Signs of spring were visible in the swelling buds and rushing torrents.
ceanothus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The azaleas were already budding; the ceanothus getting ready its lilac livery for spring.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading “OPEN SESAME” The long wet season had drawn near its close.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading “OPEN SESAME” The long wet season had drawn near its close.
exhaledverbUS /eksˈheɪld/
past form of “exhale” — expel air
From this reading The pine forests exhaled a fresher spicery.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The azaleas were already budding; the ceanothus getting ready its lilac livery for spring.
forestsnounUS /ˈfɔːrəsts/
plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The pine forests exhaled a fresher spicery.
freshernounUS /ˈfreʃər/
a first-year undergraduate
From this reading The pine forests exhaled a fresher spicery.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading The azaleas were already budding; the ceanothus getting ready its lilac livery for spring.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “OPEN SESAME” The long wet season had drawn near its close.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Signs of spring were visible in the swelling buds and rushing torrents.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading “OPEN SESAME” The long wet season had drawn near its close.
lilacnounUS /ˈlaɪlæk/
any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
From this reading The azaleas were already budding; the ceanothus getting ready its lilac livery for spring.
liverynounUS /ˈlɪvəri/
uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs
From this reading The azaleas were already budding; the ceanothus getting ready its lilac livery for spring.
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 “OPEN SESAME” The long wet season had drawn near its close.
monk's-hood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading “OPEN SESAME” The long wet season had drawn near its close.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Signs of spring were visible in the swelling buds and rushing torrents.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
on one occasion
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading “OPEN SESAME” The long wet season had drawn near its close.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading The pine forests exhaled a fresher spicery.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The azaleas were already budding; the ceanothus getting ready its lilac livery for spring.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
rushingnounUS /ˈrʌʃɪŋ/
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading Signs of spring were visible in the swelling buds and rushing torrents.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading “OPEN SESAME” The long wet season had drawn near its close.
SESAMEnounUS /ˈses.ə.mi/
A tropical plant whose seeds are used in food, and the famous magical password 'Open Sesame'.
From this reading “OPEN SESAME” The long wet season had drawn near its close.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Signs of spring were visible in the swelling buds and rushing torrents.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
spicerynoun
the property of being seasoned with spice and so highly flavored
From this reading The pine forests exhaled a fresher spicery.
spikenounUS /spaɪk/
a transient variation in voltage or current
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
the season of growth
From this reading Signs of spring were visible in the swelling buds and rushing torrents.
stoolnounUS /stuːl/
a simple seat without a back or arms
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
swellingnounUS /ˈswelɪŋ/
an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement
From this reading Signs of spring were visible in the swelling buds and rushing torrents.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “OPEN SESAME” The long wet season had drawn near its close.
torrentsnounUS /ˈtɔːrənts/
plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain
From this reading Signs of spring were visible in the swelling buds and rushing torrents.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
uplandadjectiveUS /ˈʌplənd/
used of high or hilly country
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Signs of spring were visible in the swelling buds and rushing torrents.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Signs of spring were visible in the swelling buds and rushing torrents.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading “OPEN SESAME” The long wet season had drawn near its close.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the green upland which climbed the Red Mountain at its southern aspect, the long spike of the monk’s-hood shot up from its broad-leaved stool and once more shook its dark blue bells.
