used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
(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 It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
carpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
circlingverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
cooingverbUS /ˈkuːɪŋ/
-ing form of “coo” — speak softly or lovingly
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
dove-cote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
to come or go into
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
at any time
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
intense or sharp
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
farmyardnounUS /ˈfɑːrmjɑːrd/
an area adjacent to farm buildings
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
set up or found
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Inside how beautiful it all was!
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
Laurie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
passagewaynounUS /ˈpæsədʒweɪ/
a passage between rooms or between buildings
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
patternsnounUS /ˈpætərnz/
plural of “pattern” — a perceptual structure
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
pigeonsnounUS /ˈpɪdʒənz/
plural of “pigeon” — wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
in the near future
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
To recall to mind.
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
required or under orders
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
very small
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
VelvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Suddenly the passageway came to an end, Laurie does not remember quite how it happened, but there he was up in the dove-cote, high above the farmyard, with the pigeons cooing and circling about him.
the words that are spoken
From this reading It did not seem at all strange for the cooing to sound more and more like words, and presently Laurie found that the pigeons were inviting him to enter.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading What a beautiful dove-cote it was, ever so much larger than one would have supposed: indeed it was like a real house.
but in spite of that
From this reading Velvet carpets lay on the floor, with the most exquisite patterns traced on them; in each room the pattern was different, yet always changing, for they were made by the tiny feet of the pigeons as they moved about.
