used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But the boy, at that moment, thought little of the houses or people about him.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But the boy, at that moment, thought little of the houses or people about him.
bathedverbUS /beɪðd/
past form of “bathe” — cleanse the entire body
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
a youthful male person
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the boy, at that moment, thought little of the houses or people about him.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
d'Armes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
desertsnounUS /ˈdezərts/
plural of “desert” — arid land with little or no vegetation
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
evocationnounUS /ˌiːvoʊˈkeɪʃən/
imaginative re-creation
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
gildingnounUS /ˈɡɪldɪŋ/
a coating of gold or of something that looks like gold
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
coins made of gold
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But the boy, at that moment, thought little of the houses or people about him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But the boy, at that moment, thought little of the houses or people about him.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
MississippinounUS /ˌmɪsɪˈsɪpi/
a major North American river and the chief river of the United States; rises in northern Minnesota and flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
a particular point in time
From this reading But the boy, at that moment, thought little of the houses or people about him.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
muddyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌdi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
many times at short intervals
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
OrleansnounUS /ˈɔːrliənz/
a city on the Loire river in north central France; site of the siege of Orleans by the English (1428-1429)
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading But the boy, at that moment, thought little of the houses or people about him.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
plainsnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
bring forth or yield
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
quaintadjectiveUS /kweɪnt/
strange in an interesting or pleasing way
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
roamedverbUS /roʊmd/
past form of “roam” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
shimmeringverbUS /ˈʃɪmərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
showersnounUS /ˈʃaʊərz/
plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
that is looked for
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
SouthwestnounUS /ˌsaʊˈθwest/
the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
the season of growth
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
sunlightnounUS /ˈsʌnlaɪt/
the rays of the sun
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the boy, at that moment, thought little of the houses or people about him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But the boy, at that moment, thought little of the houses or people about him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
trodverbUS /trɑːd/
inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading Under such a perfect blue sky, and bathed in such showers of shining beams, New Orleans, a city of great and varied life, looked quaint, picturesque, and beautiful.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A tall boy, dreaming dreams, was walking across the Place d’Armes in New Orleans.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His mind roamed into the vast Southwest, over mountains, plains, and deserts that his feet had never trod, and he sought, almost with the power of evocation, to produce regions that he had never seen, but which he had often heard described.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading It was a brilliant day in early spring, and a dazzling sunlight fell over the city, gilding the wood or stone of the houses, and turning the muddy current of the Mississippi into shimmering gold.
