used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
anew
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
in the past
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
(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 The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
BIRTHDAYnounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
a youthful male person
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
chirpingverbUS /ˈtʃɜːrpɪŋ/
-ing form of “chirp” — make high-pitched sounds
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
Evercombe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
expectancynounUS /ɪkˈspektənsi/
an expectation
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
flushnounUS /flʌʃ/
the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
a young female
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He is not there now, nor is his couch in its old place.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He is not there now, nor is his couch in its old place.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He is not there now, nor is his couch in its old place.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
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 The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
held dear
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He is not there now, nor is his couch in its old place.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He is not there now, nor is his couch in its old place.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He is not there now, nor is his couch in its old place.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
and nothing more
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
orielnoun
a projecting bay window corbeled or cantilevered out from a wall
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He is not there now, nor is his couch in its old place.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
cut with a saw
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
the season of growth
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
swallowsnounUS /ˈswɑːloʊz/
plural of “swallow” — a small amount of liquid food
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
precisely as stated
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
look attentively
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
at the time that
From this reading Evercombe and the Watch House look much as they did when we first saw them; one could fancy that but a few months instead of ten years had passed since then.
a Caucasian
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
which person or people
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
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 swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
a late time of life
From this reading ANOTHER BIRTHDAY Again a spring morning, only two or three years ago.
but in spite of that
From this reading The swallows are there, established in their summer quarters above the oriel window, the same and yet not the same, though their chirping voices may, for all we know, be telling of the little boy who for so long lay on his couch below, and loved them so well.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Instead of the small white face and eager blue eyes, there stands at the post of observation a tall young girl, a very pretty girl, with a bright flush of happy expectancy on her fair face.
