used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Birds flashed and sang, for it was May, high May, and the nests were built.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Birds flashed and sang, for it was May, high May, and the nests were built.
bloomnounUS /bluːm/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
a youthful male person
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
broad-brimmedadjective
(of hats) having a broad brim
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
BUILDERnounUS /ˈbɪldər/
a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action
From this reading THE BUILDER I It was spring once more.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Birds flashed and sang, for it was May, high May, and the nests were built.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
Byrdsnest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
clumpnounUS /klʌmp/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
cornflowersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnflaʊərz/
plural of “cornflower” — plant of southern and southeastern United States grown for its yellow flowers that can be dried
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
daffodilsnounUS /ˈdæfədɪlz/
plural of “daffodil” — any of numerous varieties of Narcissus plants having showy often yellow flowers with a trumpet-shaped central crown
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
diligentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪlədʒəntli/
with diligence; in a diligent manner
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
dog-wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Birds flashed and sang, for it was May, high May, and the nests were built.
floweringnounUS /ˈflaʊərɪŋ/
the time and process of budding and unfolding of blossoms
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Birds flashed and sang, for it was May, high May, and the nests were built.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
gardeningnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənɪŋ/
the cultivation of plants
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Birds flashed and sang, for it was May, high May, and the nests were built.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE BUILDER I It was spring once more.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE BUILDER I It was spring once more.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
lilacnounUS /ˈlaɪlæk/
any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Birds flashed and sang, for it was May, high May, and the nests were built.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE BUILDER I It was spring once more.
nestsnounUS /nests/
plural of “nest” — a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Birds flashed and sang, for it was May, high May, and the nests were built.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
on one occasion
From this reading THE BUILDER I It was spring once more.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
sand-pit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading Birds flashed and sang, for it was May, high May, and the nests were built.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
sievenounUS /sɪv/
a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
the season of growth
From this reading THE BUILDER I It was spring once more.
studdedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdɪd/
dotted or adorned with or as with studs or nailheads; usually used in combination
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BUILDER I It was spring once more.
thinningnounUS /ˈθɪnɪŋ/
the act of diluting something
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
two-year-oldadjective
two years of age
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
warm-cheeked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BUILDER I It was spring once more.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading Mary, warm-cheeked in the sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of gardening gloves, was thinning out a clump of cornflowers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
wirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the garden of the Byrdsnest flowering shrubs were in bloom; the beds were studded with daffodils; the scent of lilac filled the air.
yellow-haired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one corner of the lawn, shaded by a flowering dog-wood, was a small sand-pit, and in this a yellow-haired two-year-old boy diligently poured sand through a wire sieve.
