used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
abstractedlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
anew
From this reading Then it clouded again.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
boltnounUS /boʊlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
brewingnounUS /ˈbruːɪŋ/
the production of malt beverages (as beer or ale) from malt and hops by grinding and boiling them and fermenting the result with yeast
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
cloudedadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdɪd/
made troubled or apprehensive or distressed in appearance
From this reading Then it clouded again.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
discontentnounUS /dɪskənˈtent/
a longing for something better than the present situation
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
divined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
doorstepnounUS /ˈdɔːrstep/
the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
filteredverbUS /ˈfɪltərd/
past form of “filter” — remove by passing through a filter
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
fretverbUS /fret/
worry unnecessarily or excessively
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
greenerynounUS /ˈɡriːnəri/
green foliage
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
insidiousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪdiːəs/
beguiling but harmful
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then it clouded again.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
lingeringnounUS /ˈlɪŋɡərɪŋ/
the act of tarrying
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
meshesnounUS /ˈmeʃɪz/
plural of “mesh” — the number of openings per linear inch of a screen; measures size of particles
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
ParishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
except for; apart from
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
scarredadjectiveUS /skɑːrd/
deeply affected or marked by mental or physical pain or injury
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
shatteringadjectiveUS /ˈʃætərɪŋ/
seemingly loud enough to break something; violently rattling or clattering
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
silencesnounUS /ˈsaɪlənsɪz/
plural of “silence” — the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then it clouded again.
ThorntonnounUS /ˈθɔːrntən/
American architect (1759-1828)
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
in or at the place that
From this reading Parish Thornton sat on the doorstep of the house gazing abstractedly upward where through soft meshes of greenery the sunlight filtered.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading Here, he told himself, he ought to be happy beyond any whisper of discontent--save for the fret of his lingering weakness.
a Caucasian
From this reading Through the open door of the house came the voice of Dorothy raised in song, and the man's face softened and the white teeth flashed into a smile as he listened.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Parish Thornton did not know all the insidious forces that were working in the silences of the hills, but he divined enough to feel the brewing of a storm, which, in its bursting, might strike closer and with more shattering force than the bolt that had scarred the giant tree trunk.
