used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
(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 But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
any thing at all
From this reading "Sing--sing anything you like, my darling," he replied.
on or to one side
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
rid of obstructions
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
a special loved one
From this reading "Sing--sing anything you like, my darling," he replied.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
earnestnessnounUS /ˈɜːrnəstnəs/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
any strong feeling
From this reading His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
flutteredverbUS /ˈflʌtərd/
past form of “flutter” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
half-tones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Sing--sing anything you like, my darling," he replied.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
larknounUS /lɑːrk/
North American songbirds having a yellow breast
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
a particular point in time
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Sing--sing anything you like, my darling," he replied.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
and nothing more
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
pealnounUS /piːl/
a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
by chance
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Sing--sing anything you like, my darling," he replied.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
deliver by singing
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
surgingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrdʒɪŋ/
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
From this reading His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
sweetnessnounUS /ˈswiːtnəs/
the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
trebleadjectiveUS /ˈtrebəl/
having or denoting a high range
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
tremulousadjectiveUS /ˈtremjələs/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
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 His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His face was down, the waves of emotion were surging through and through him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
in the company of; together with
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading After a moment she stopped, with her head aside, and said: "Which should it be, I wonder?
the words that are spoken
From this reading The fluttered earnestness of his words startled her for a moment, but she only smiled with a new sweetness and began to sing, first in low, clear half-tones, and then in a high, tremulous treble that was like the peal of a lark at the gate of heaven.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading But perhaps you know them all and would like me to sing something in particular?"
