1st
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
abhorredverbUS /əbˈhɔːrd/
inflected form of “abhor” — find repugnant
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
eagerly desirous
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
balustrades
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
betokened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
Bruff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
choirnounUS /ˈkwaɪər/
a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
church-going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
despondencynounUS /dɪˈspɑːndənsi/
feeling downcast and disheartened and hopeless
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
Dinah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
one or the other of two
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
flankedverbUS /flæŋkt/
past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
geraniumsnounUS /dʒərˈeɪniəmz/
plural of “geranium” — any of numerous plants of the family Geraniaceae
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
half-hournounUS /ˈhæfaʊər/
a half of an hour
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
hall-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
haunches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
indooradjectiveUS /ˈɪndɔːr/
located, suited for, or taking place within a building
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
lackedverbUS /lækt/
past form of “lack” — be without
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
immediately past
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
limestonenounUS /ˈlaɪmstoʊn/
a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcium that was deposited by the remains of marine animals
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
MaxnounUS /mæks/
street names for gamma hydroxybutyrate
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
packingnounUS /ˈpækɪŋ/
any material used especially to protect something
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
Pamela
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
picnicnounUS /ˈpɪknɪk/
a day devoted to an outdoor social gathering
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
plateaunounUS /plæˈtoʊ/
a relatively flat highland
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
portended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
sergenounUS /sɜːrdʒ/
a twilled woolen fabric
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The broad limestone steps at Bruff looked across the lawn to the lake, and to the south.
topmostadjective
at or nearest to the top
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
under normal conditions
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading They had seen Pamela put on a hat that certainly was not her garden one, and as certainly lacked the veil that betokened the abhorred ceremony of church-going.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For the last half-hour Max and Dinah, the indoor dogs, had known that an expedition was toward.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were flanked on either hand by stone balustrades which began and ended in a pot of blazing scarlet geraniums, and on their topmost plateau on this brilliant 1st of July, the four Bruff dogs sat on their haunches and gazed with anxious despondency in at the open hall-door.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading They knew this hat well, and at the worst it usually meant a choir practice; but taken in connection with a blue serge skirt and the packing of a luncheon basket, they almost ventured to hope it portended a picnic on the lake.
