45
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOTE TO PAGE 45.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
admirersnounUS /ədˈmaɪrərz/
plural of “admirer” — a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
applyverbUS /əˈplaɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
astonishingadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading A gentleman in London had one of these birds for six years.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
coloursnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a distinguishing emblem
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A gentleman in London had one of these birds for six years.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
a man of refinement
From this reading A gentleman in London had one of these birds for six years.
highest in quality
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading A gentleman in London had one of these birds for six years.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
mixturenounUS /ˈmɪkstʃər/
(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
mock-bird's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
mocking-bird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
nightingalenounUS /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/
European songbird noted for its melodious nocturnal song
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
a brief written record
From this reading NOTE TO PAGE 45.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading NOTE TO PAGE 45.
proprietynounUS /prəˈpraɪəti/
correct or appropriate behavior
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
reservingverbUS /rɪˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
-ing form of “reserve” — hold back or set aside, especially for future use or contingency
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
singsverbUS /sɪŋz/
third-person singular of “sing” — deliver by singing
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading A gentleman in London had one of these birds for six years.
with low volume
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A gentleman in London had one of these birds for six years.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
thrushnounUS /θrʌʃ/
candidiasis of the oral cavity; seen mostly in infants or debilitated adults
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading NOTE TO PAGE 45.
in the direction of
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
precisely as stated
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Towards evening I have heard one begin softly, reserving its breath to swell certain notes, which, by this means, had a most astonishing effect.
a Caucasian
From this reading _From merry mock-bird’s song._ “The mocking-bird is of the form, but larger than the thrush; and the colours are a mixture of black, white, and grey.
which person or people
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
in the company of; together with
From this reading What is said of the nightingale by its greatest admirers, is what may with more propriety apply to this bird, who, in a natural state, sings with very superior taste.
a late time of life
From this reading A gentleman in London had one of these birds for six years.
