adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
airsnounUS /erz/
affected manners intended to impress others
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
bargesnounUS /ˈbɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “barge” — a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
beaknounUS /biːk/
beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
bringverbUS /brɪŋ/
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
broodverbUS /bruːd/
think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
budsnounUS /bʌdz/
plural of “bud” — a partially opened flower
From this reading My little tree is gemmed with buds, shy, immature, but full of promise.
busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/
inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
callverbUS /kɔːl/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
circlenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
clamourverbUS /ˈklæmər/
utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
crowdverbUS /kraʊd/
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
crownedadjectiveUS /kraʊnd/
having an (artificial) crown on a tooth
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
curlingnounUS /ˈkɜːrlɪŋ/
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
downyadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊni/
like down or as soft as down
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
FeastnounUS /fiːst/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
featherverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
flightnounUS /flaɪt/
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
freeverbUS /friː/
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
fruitsnounUS /fruːts/
plural of “fruit” — the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading My little tree is gemmed with buds, shy, immature, but full of promise.
gemmedadjective
covered with beads or jewels or sequins
From this reading My little tree is gemmed with buds, shy, immature, but full of promise.
goldenadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊldən/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
growingnounUS /ˈɡroʊɪŋ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
guttersnounUS /ˈɡʌtərz/
plural of “gutter” — a channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
haynounUS /heɪ/
grass mowed and cured for use as fodder
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
immatureadjectiveUS /ˌɪməˈtjʊr/
characteristic of a lack of maturity
From this reading My little tree is gemmed with buds, shy, immature, but full of promise.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
inheritancenounUS /ˌɪnˈherətəns/
hereditary succession to a title or an office or property
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
lengtheningnounUS /ˈleŋθənɪŋ/
the act of prolonging something
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading My little tree is gemmed with buds, shy, immature, but full of promise.
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 The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
loudadjectiveUS /laʊd/
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
meednoun
a fitting reward
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
missverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
mudbank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
murkyadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrki/
(of liquids) clouded as with sediment
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My little tree is gemmed with buds, shy, immature, but full of promise.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
nest-building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
numbersnounUS /ˈnʌmbərz/
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
oceannounUS /ˈoʊʃən/
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
oustverbUS /aʊst/
remove from a position or office
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
passverbUS /pæs/
go across or through
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
pipesnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
plaintiveadjectiveUS /ˈpleɪntɪv/
expressing sorrow
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
proclaimedadjectiveUS /proʊˈkleɪmd/
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
promiseverbUS /ˈprɑːməs/
make a promise or commitment
From this reading My little tree is gemmed with buds, shy, immature, but full of promise.
reachesnounUS /ˈriːtʃəz/
plural of “reach” — the limits within which something can be effective
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
rocknounUS /rɑːk/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
seagullsnounUS /ˈsiːɡʌlz/
plural of “seagull” — mostly white aquatic bird having long pointed wings and short legs
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
seekingnounUS /ˈsiːkɪŋ/
the act of searching for something
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
shorenounUS /ʃɔːr/
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
shyverbUS /ʃaɪ/
start suddenly, as from fright
From this reading My little tree is gemmed with buds, shy, immature, but full of promise.
silvernounUS /ˈsɪlvər/
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
soundsnounUS /saʊndz/
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
sparrowsnounUS /ˈsperoʊz/
plural of “sparrow” — any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
springnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
steadilyadverbUS /ˈstedəli/
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
steadyverbUS /ˈstedi/
make steady
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
storehousenounUS /ˈstɔːrhaʊs/
a depository for goods
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
strangelyadverbUS /ˈstreɪndʒli/
in a strange manner
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
strawnounUS /strɔː/
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
sun-swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
sunlightnounUS /ˈsʌnlaɪt/
the rays of the sun
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
sunshinenounUS /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/
the rays of the sun
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
swoopnounUS /swuːp/
(music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
tearsnounUS /terz/
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
treenounUS /triː/
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading My little tree is gemmed with buds, shy, immature, but full of promise.
upperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/
the topmost one of two
From this reading THE seagulls from the upper reaches pass down the river in sober steady flight seeking the open sea.
usenounUS /juːs/
the act of using
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
vantagenounUS /ˈvæntədʒ/
place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)
From this reading The sparrows busied with nest-building in the neighbouring pipes and gutters use it for a vantage ground, and crowd there in numbers, each little beak sealed with long golden straw or downy feather.
warringadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːrɪŋ/
engaged in war
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
wavesnounUS /weɪvz/
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
wind-beaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
wingsnounUS /wɪŋz/
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
winter'snounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The river is heavy with hay barges, the last fruits of winter’s storehouse; the lengthening days slowly and steadily oust the dark; the air is loud with a growing clamour of life: spring is not only proclaimed, but on this Feast she is crowned, and despite the warring wind the days bring their meed of sunshine.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading My little tree is gemmed with buds, shy, immature, but full of promise.
world'snounUS /wɜːrldz/
possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading I shall miss the swoop and circle of silver wings in the sunlight and the plaintive call which sounds so strangely away from rock and shore, but it is good to know that they have gone from mudbank and murky town back to the free airs of their inheritance, to the shadow of sun-swept cliffs and the curling crest of the wind-beaten waves, to brood again over the great ocean of a world’s tears.
