used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
admittingverbUS /ædˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
(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 Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
astiradjective
out of bed
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
babbleverbUS /ˈbæbəl/
utter meaningless sounds, like a baby, or utter in an incoherent way
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
blowsnounUS /bloʊz/
plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
eat an early morning meal
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
cawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
ceaselessadjectiveUS /ˈsiːslɪs/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading Wat Tinlinn, from the Liddle-side, Comes wading through the flood.”
a small house with a single story
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
cowherdnounUS /ˈkaʊhɜːrd/
a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
dewyadjectiveUS /ˈduːi/
wet with dew
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
domicilenoun
(law) the residence where you have your permanent home or principal establishment and to where, whenever you are absent, you intend to return; every person is compelled to have one and only one domicile at a time
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
EarlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading Wat Tinlinn, from the Liddle-side, Comes wading through the flood.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Wat Tinlinn, from the Liddle-side, Comes wading through the flood.”
gate-ward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
goodwife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
heedfuladjective
taking heed; giving close and thoughtful attention
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
hornnounUS /hɔːrn/
a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
immediately past
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
Liddle-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wat Tinlinn, from the Liddle-side, Comes wading through the flood.”
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
main-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
materialsnounUS /məˈtɪriəlz/
plural of “material” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
medleynounUS /ˈmedli/
a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
milkyadjectiveUS /ˈmɪlki/
resembling milk in color; not clear
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
MinstrelnounUS /ˈmɪnstrəl/
a singer of folk songs
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
mornnounUS /mɔːrn/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
palletsnounUS /ˈpæləts/
plural of “pallet” — the range of colour characteristic of a particular artist or painting or school of art
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
pasturesnounUS /ˈpæstʃərz/
plural of “pasture” — a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
pervadedverbUS /pərˈveɪdɪd/
past form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
PrepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
purifyverbUS /ˈpjʊrəfaɪ/
remove impurities from, increase the concentration of, and separate through the process of distillation
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
road-companions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
rooksnounUS /rʊks/
plural of “rook” — (chess) the piece that can move any number of unoccupied squares in a direction parallel to the sides of the chessboard
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
sweetenverbUS /ˈswiːtən/
make sweeter in taste
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Wat Tinlinn, from the Liddle-side, Comes wading through the flood.”
Tinlinn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wat Tinlinn, from the Liddle-side, Comes wading through the flood.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
wadingnounUS /ˈweɪdɪŋ/
walking with your feet in shallow water
From this reading Wat Tinlinn, from the Liddle-side, Comes wading through the flood.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
Wat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wat Tinlinn, from the Liddle-side, Comes wading through the flood.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
at the time that
From this reading --_Lay of the Last Minstrel._ When our two road-companions left their pallets and returned to the kitchen or main-room of the cottage, the goodwife was setting out materials for breakfast.
which person or people
From this reading Early as was the hour, the village was astir for the labours and duties of the new day, and the horn of the cowherd who was driving the “milky mothers” to the pastures--the singing of birds--the cawing of rooks--and the ceaseless babble of the burn--formed a medley of sounds right cheerful to hear.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The windows were wide open, admitting the fresh breath of dewy morn to purify and sweeten the atmosphere that had pervaded the domicile during the night.
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried-- “Prepare ye all for blows and blood!
