used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
Arlee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
the first light of day
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
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 DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
opinion or judgment
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
fawn-coloredadjective
having the color of a fawn
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
coins made of gold
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
half-lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
ImpulsivelyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈpʌlsɪvli/
in an impulsive or impetuous way; without taking cautions
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
kindledadjectiveUS /ˈkɪndəld/
set afire
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
pearlnounUS /pɜːrl/
a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiːənt/
radiating or as if radiating light
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
sandsnounUS /sændz/
the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
the state of being asleep
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
soundlyadverbUS /ˈsaʊndli/
deeply or completely
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Impulsively Billy bent over the little figure sleeping so soundly at his side, speaking her name gently.
splendornounUS /ˈsplen.dər/
Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
surgingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrdʒɪŋ/
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
unrealadjectiveUS /ənˈriːl/
lacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sky was pearl; the sands were fawn-colored; the crest of a low hill to the east shone as if it were living gold, and the next instant it seemed as if a fire were kindled upon it.
at the time that
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
winksnounUS /wɪŋks/
plural of “wink” — a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading DESERT MAGIC He had meant but forty winks, but it had been dark when his eyes closed and he opened them to the unreal half-lights of early dawn.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the sun surging up into the heavens, and great waves of color, like a sea of flame, mounted higher and higher with it.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading And Arlee, waking with a start and a catch of her breath that went to his heart, opened her eyes on a wild splendor of morning that seemed the outer aspect of the radiant joy within her.
