adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
aflameadjectiveUS /əˈfleɪm/
keenly excited (especially sexually) or indicating excitement
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading ‘Here’s Nicholas Sabathier, my dear, come to say goodbye awhile,’ said Grisel.
awhir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fields of the garnered harvest shone with a golden stillness, awhir with shimmering flocks of starlings.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
boughsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
coatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading ‘Here’s Nicholas Sabathier, my dear, come to say goodbye awhile,’ said Grisel.
dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading ‘Here’s Nicholas Sabathier, my dear, come to say goodbye awhile,’ said Grisel.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
EveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
fadingnounUS /ˈfeɪdɪŋ/
weakening in force or intensity
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
fieldsnounUS /fiːldz/
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The fields of the garnered harvest shone with a golden stillness, awhir with shimmering flocks of starlings.
flocksnounUS /flɑːks/
plural of “flock” — a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading The fields of the garnered harvest shone with a golden stillness, awhir with shimmering flocks of starlings.
garneredverbUS /ˈɡɑːrnərd/
past form of “garner” — acquire or deserve by one's efforts or actions
From this reading The fields of the garnered harvest shone with a golden stillness, awhir with shimmering flocks of starlings.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
goldenadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊldən/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The fields of the garnered harvest shone with a golden stillness, awhir with shimmering flocks of starlings.
goodbyenounUS /ˌɡʊdˈbaɪ/
a farewell remark
From this reading ‘Here’s Nicholas Sabathier, my dear, come to say goodbye awhile,’ said Grisel.
Grisel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Here’s Nicholas Sabathier, my dear, come to say goodbye awhile,’ said Grisel.
grownadjectiveUS /ɡroʊn/
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
harbouragenoun
(nautical) a place of refuge (as for a ship)
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
harvestnounUS /ˈhɑːrvəst/
the yield from plants in a single growing season
From this reading The fields of the garnered harvest shone with a golden stillness, awhir with shimmering flocks of starlings.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
HerbertnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
Here's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Here’s Nicholas Sabathier, my dear, come to say goodbye awhile,’ said Grisel.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
kneenounUS /niː/
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
leavesnounUS /liːvz/
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
melancholynounUS /ˈmelənkɑːli/
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ‘Here’s Nicholas Sabathier, my dear, come to say goodbye awhile,’ said Grisel.
NicholasnounUS /ˈnɪkələs/
a bishop in Asia Minor who is associated with Santa Claus (4th century)
From this reading ‘Here’s Nicholas Sabathier, my dear, come to say goodbye awhile,’ said Grisel.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
nursingnounUS /ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/
the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The fields of the garnered harvest shone with a golden stillness, awhir with shimmering flocks of starlings.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
proppedverbUS /prɑːpt/
inflected form of “prop” — support by placing against something solid or rigid
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
rapturenounUS /ˈræptʃər/
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
Sabathier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Here’s Nicholas Sabathier, my dear, come to say goodbye awhile,’ said Grisel.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ‘Here’s Nicholas Sabathier, my dear, come to say goodbye awhile,’ said Grisel.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
sangnounUS /sæŋ/
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading ‘Here’s Nicholas Sabathier, my dear, come to say goodbye awhile,’ said Grisel.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
shimmeringverbUS /ˈʃɪmərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading The fields of the garnered harvest shone with a golden stillness, awhir with shimmering flocks of starlings.
shineverbUS /ʃaɪn/
be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The fields of the garnered harvest shone with a golden stillness, awhir with shimmering flocks of starlings.
sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
springnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
starlings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fields of the garnered harvest shone with a golden stillness, awhir with shimmering flocks of starlings.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading The fields of the garnered harvest shone with a golden stillness, awhir with shimmering flocks of starlings.
sungnounUS /sʌŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
teacupnounUS /ˈtiːkʌp/
as much as a teacup will hold
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading And the old birds that had sung in the spring sang now amid the same leaves, grown older too to give them harbourage.
treesnounUS /triːz/
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
upliftedadjectiveUS /ˈʌplɪftɪd/
exalted emotionally especially with pride
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Herbert was sitting in his room when they returned, nursing his teacup on his knee while he pretended to be reading, with elbow propped on the table.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Evening began to shine between the trees; they seemed to stand aflame, with a melancholy rapture in their uplifted boughs above their fading coats.
