AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
archwaynounUS /ˈɑːrtʃweɪ/
a passageway under a curved masonry construction
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
ascendingadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/
moving or going or growing upward
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
asleepadjectiveUS /əˈsliːp/
in a state of sleep
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
attitudenounUS /ˈætətuːd/
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
basenounUS /beɪs/
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
Bernininoun
Italian sculptor and architect of the baroque period in Italy; designed many churches and chapels and tombs and fountains (1598-1680)
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
bowersnounUS /ˈbaʊərz/
plural of “bower” — a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
cavesnounUS /keɪvz/
plural of “cave” — a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
courtnounUS /kɔːrt/
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
crossedadjectiveUS /krɔːst/
placed crosswise
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
dancingnounUS /ˈdænsɪŋ/
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
draperiesnounUS /ˈdreɪpəriz/
plural of “drapery” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
driveverbUS /draɪv/
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
enclosedadjectiveUS /enˈkloʊzd/
closed in or surrounded or included within
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
extremeadjectiveUS /ekˈstriːm/
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
fingersnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərz/
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
footstepnounUS /ˈfʊtstep/
the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
gardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
gloomnounUS /ɡluːm/
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
grassverbUS /ɡræs/
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
half-hournounUS /ˈhæfaʊər/
a half of an hour
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
imaginedverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənd/
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
inflatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfleɪtɪd/
enlarged beyond truth or reasonableness
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
Isabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
mannernounUS /ˈmænər/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
noontidenoun
the middle of the day
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
nymphnounUS /nɪmf/
(classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
palacenounUS /ˈpæləs/
a large and stately mansion
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
relaxationnounUS /ˌriːlækˈseɪʃən/
(physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
rousedverbUS /raʊzd/
past form of “rouse” — become active
From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
shadenounUS /ʃeɪd/
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/
very large in expanse or scope
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
spotnounUS /spɑːt/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
statuenounUS /ˈstætʃuː/
a sculpture representing a human or animal
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
suggestedverbUS /səˈdʒestɪd/
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
sweeteradjectiveUS /ˈswiːtər/
comparative of “sweet” — having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
taperverbUS /ˈteɪpər/
diminish gradually
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
Terpsichorenoun
(Greek mythology) the Muse of the dance and of choral song
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
turningnounUS /ˈtɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
vehiclenounUS /ˈviːhɪkəl/
a conveyance that transports people or objects
From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
