used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Are you a moonbeam?” she asked.
AliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading No wonder Ruth almost screamed aloud in her surprised delight.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading No wonder Ruth almost screamed aloud in her surprised delight.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Are you a moonbeam?” she asked.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Are you a moonbeam?” she asked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading No wonder Ruth almost screamed aloud in her surprised delight.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading “You are just lovely enough for one.”
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “You are just lovely enough for one.”
a state of high honor
From this reading or the possible glory that underlies The passing phase of the meanest things.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading No wonder Ruth almost screamed aloud in her surprised delight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No wonder Ruth almost screamed aloud in her surprised delight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
and nothing more
From this reading “You are just lovely enough for one.”
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading “You are just lovely enough for one.”
meanestadjectiveUS /ˈmiːnəst/
superlative of “mean” — approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading or the possible glory that underlies The passing phase of the meanest things.
moonbeamnounUS /ˈmuːnbiːm/
a ray of moonlight
From this reading “Are you a moonbeam?” she asked.
mothnounUS /mɔːθ/
typically crepuscular or nocturnal insect having a stout body and feathery or hairlike antennae
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
not any; not one
From this reading No wonder Ruth almost screamed aloud in her surprised delight.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading or the possible glory that underlies The passing phase of the meanest things.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “You are just lovely enough for one.”
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading or the possible glory that underlies The passing phase of the meanest things.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading or the possible glory that underlies The passing phase of the meanest things.
phasenounUS /feɪz/
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading or the possible glory that underlies The passing phase of the meanest things.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading or the possible glory that underlies The passing phase of the meanest things.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading No wonder Ruth almost screamed aloud in her surprised delight.
Ruth'snounUS /ruːθs/
possessive form of “ruth” — United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
screamedverbUS /skriːmd/
past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading No wonder Ruth almost screamed aloud in her surprised delight.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Are you a moonbeam?” she asked.
shimmeringverbUS /ˈʃɪmərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading No wonder Ruth almost screamed aloud in her surprised delight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading or the possible glory that underlies The passing phase of the meanest things.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading or the possible glory that underlies The passing phase of the meanest things.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading or the possible glory that underlies The passing phase of the meanest things.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
underliesverbUS /ˌʌndərˈlaɪz/
third-person singular of “underlie” — be or form the base for
From this reading or the possible glory that underlies The passing phase of the meanest things.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
WhitneynounUS /ˈwɪtni/
United States inventor of the mechanical cotton gin (1765-1825)
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading _Mrs. Whitney._ Alive it certainly was, this exquisite green moth, which rose on shimmering wings at Ruth’s touch.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading No wonder Ruth almost screamed aloud in her surprised delight.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Are you a moonbeam?” she asked.
