adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
catchverbUS /kætʃ/
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
clickingverbUS /ˈklɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
colderadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊldər/
comparative of “cold” — having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
convincedadjectiveUS /kənˈvɪnst/
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
cryverbUS /kraɪ/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
directlyadverbUS /dərˈektli/
without deviation
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
your usual mood
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
estancia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
fartheradjectiveUS /ˈfɑːrðər/
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
firefliesnounUS /ˈfaɪərflaɪz/
plural of “firefly” — tropical American click beetle having bright luminous spots
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
firelightnoun
the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
glimmernounUS /ˈɡlɪmər/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
grassverbUS /ɡræs/
shoot down, of birds
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
hissverbUS /hɪs/
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
joynounUS /dʒɔɪ/
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/
conformity or harmony
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
laugh-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
loudadjectiveUS /laʊd/
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
nearnessnoun
the spatial property resulting from a relatively small distance
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
owlnounUS /aʊl/
nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
particularadjectiveUS /pərˈtɪkjələr/
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
PresentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/
in the near future
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
proceededverbUS /prəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
rancho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
rosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
seatnounUS /siːt/
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
sharpadjectiveUS /ʃɑːrp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
shiningadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
sightnounUS /saɪt/
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
spiedverbUS /spaɪd/
inflected form of “spy” — catch sight of
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
spotnounUS /spɑːt/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
starnounUS /stɑːr/
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
stifferadjectiveUS /ˈstɪfər/
comparative of “stiff” — not moving or operating freely
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
transientnounUS /ˈtrænʒənt/
one who stays for only a short time
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/
hard to endure
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
utterancenounUS /ˈʌtərəns/
the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
vainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
walknounUS /wɔːk/
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Presently, to my great joy, I spied it again in the same place, and felt convinced that it was the gleam of firelight shining from the open door or window of some _rancho_ or _estancia_ house.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading At length a large owl, flapping down close to my head, gave utterance to a long hiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry.
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/
past form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded from a fire; and after vainly trying to catch sight of it again from my seat on the ground, I rose and walked on, keeping before me a particular star shining directly over the spot where that transient glimmer had appeared.
yellowadjectiveUS /ˈjeloʊ/
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The nearness of it startled me, and, looking up, I saw a twinkling yellow light gleam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther.
