adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/
the state of being absent
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nature had laid a white hand over the creatures ensconced within the vale, as a hand might be laid over a nest of chirping birds.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
authoritynounUS /əˈθɔːrəti/
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Nature had laid a white hand over the creatures ensconced within the vale, as a hand might be laid over a nest of chirping birds.
bustlingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌsəlɪŋ/
full of energetic and noisy activity
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
chirpingverbUS /ˈtʃɜːrpɪŋ/
-ing form of “chirp” — make high-pitched sounds
From this reading Nature had laid a white hand over the creatures ensconced within the vale, as a hand might be laid over a nest of chirping birds.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
creaturesnounUS /ˈkriːtʃərz/
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Nature had laid a white hand over the creatures ensconced within the vale, as a hand might be laid over a nest of chirping birds.
curvenounUS /kɜːrv/
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
differingverbUS /ˈdɪfərɪŋ/
-ing form of “differ” — be different
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
eighteenadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːn/
being one more than seventeen
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
ensconcedverbUS /ɪnˈskɑːnst/
past form of “ensconce” — fix firmly
From this reading Nature had laid a white hand over the creatures ensconced within the vale, as a hand might be laid over a nest of chirping birds.
Exe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
faintestadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪntəst/
superlative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
fortiesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtiz/
the time of life between 40 and 50
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/
a man of refinement
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Nature had laid a white hand over the creatures ensconced within the vale, as a hand might be laid over a nest of chirping birds.
higheradjectiveUS /ˈhaɪər/
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
hillsnounUS /hɪlz/
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
humournounUS /ˈhjuːmər/
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
indicationsnounUS /ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “indication” — something that serves to indicate or suggest
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
ITpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
kindsnounUS /kaɪndz/
plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading Nature had laid a white hand over the creatures ensconced within the vale, as a hand might be laid over a nest of chirping birds.
land-surveyor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
levelnounUS /ˈlevəl/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Nature had laid a white hand over the creatures ensconced within the vale, as a hand might be laid over a nest of chirping birds.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
NaturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Nature had laid a white hand over the creatures ensconced within the vale, as a hand might be laid over a nest of chirping birds.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Nature had laid a white hand over the creatures ensconced within the vale, as a hand might be laid over a nest of chirping birds.
notesnounUS /noʊts/
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
particularsnounUS /pərˈtɪkjələrz/
plural of “particular” — a fact about some part (as opposed to general)
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
peculiaradjectiveUS /pəˈkjuːljər/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
scenenounUS /siːn/
the place where some action occurs
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
testimonynounUS /ˈtestəmoʊni/
a solemn statement made under oath
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
valenounUS /veɪl/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading But though nothing in the vale could be seen from higher ground, notes of differing kinds gave pretty clear indications that bustling life was going on there.
ValleynounUS /ˈvæli/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
visualadjectiveUS /ˈvɪʒəwəl/
relating to or using sight
From this reading This audible presence and visual absence of an active scene had a peculiar effect above the fog level.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading A dense white fog hung over the Valley of the Exe, ending against the hills on either side.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading IT was half-past four o’clock (by the testimony of the land-surveyor, my authority for the particulars of this story, a gentleman with the faintest curve of humour on his lips); it was half-past four o’clock on a May morning in the eighteen forties.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Nature had laid a white hand over the creatures ensconced within the vale, as a hand might be laid over a nest of chirping birds.
