used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
(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 Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
automaticadjectiveUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/
operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
checkeredadjectiveUS /ˈtʃekərd/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
conifersnounUS /ˈkɑːnəfərz/
plural of “conifer” — any gymnospermous tree or shrub bearing cones
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
crestedadjectiveUS /ˈkrestɪd/
bearing an heraldic device
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
decorationnounUS /ˌdekərˈeɪʃən/
something used to beautify
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
dottedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːtəd/
having a pattern of dots
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
emphasizedadjectiveUS /ˈemfəsaɪzd/
spoken with emphasis
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
finelyadverbUS /ˈfaɪnli/
in tiny pieces
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
firsnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
flower-beds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
glowingadjectiveUS /ˈɡloʊɪŋ/
highly enthusiastic
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
isletsnounUS /ˈaɪlɪts/
plural of “islet” — a small island
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
OsbornenounUS /ˈɔːzbɔːrn/
English playwright (1929-1994)
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
patternounUS /ˈpætər/
plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
Puget
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
resinousadjective
having the characteristics of pitch or tar
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
ripplesnounUS /ˈrɪpəlz/
plural of “ripple” — a small wave on the surface of a liquid
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
RockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
scrollwork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
shadesnounUS /ʃeɪdz/
(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
shinglenounUS /ˈʃɪŋɡəl/
building material used as siding or roofing
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
showersnounUS /ˈʃaʊərz/
plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
somberadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːmbər/
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
splashverbUS /splæʃ/
cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
sprinklersnounUS /ˈsprɪŋklərz/
plural of “sprinkler” — mechanical device that attaches to a garden hose for watering lawn or garden
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
steepedverbUS /stiːpt/
past form of “steep” — devote (oneself) fully to
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
thirstyadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːrsti/
needing moisture
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The resinous scent of the conifers crept into its rooms; and in front a broad sweep of grass, checkered with glowing flower-beds, ran down to the shingle beach.
varyingadjectiveUS /ˈveriɪŋ/
marked by diversity or difference
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
verandanounUS /vərˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
in or at the place that
From this reading Hot sunshine poured into the clearing on the shore of Puget Sound where Henry Osborne had his dwelling.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The stillness of the afternoon was emphasized by the soft splash of ripples on the beach and the patter of the water which the automatic sprinklers flung in glistening showers across the thirsty grass.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading The pretty, wooden house, with its wide veranda and scrollwork decoration, was finely situated in a belt of tall pine forest.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Rocky islets, crested with somber firs, dotted the sparkling sound, and beyond them, climbing woods and hills, steeped in varying shades of blue, faded into the distance, with behind them all a faint, cold gleam of snow.
