used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
(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 All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
astrideadverbUS /əˈstraɪd/
with one leg on each side
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
beamnounUS /biːm/
a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Nothing was changed meanwhile in the ordinary daily routine.
chirpingverbUS /ˈtʃɜːrpɪŋ/
-ing form of “chirp” — make high-pitched sounds
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
cobwebbyadjective
so thin as to transmit light
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
concertnounUS /ˈkɑːnsərt/
a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
without stop or interruption
From this reading She continued to enjoy this happiness.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
cricketsnounUS /ˈkrɪkəts/
plural of “cricket” — leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Nothing was changed meanwhile in the ordinary daily routine.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading She continued to enjoy this happiness.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading She continued to enjoy this happiness.
harp-strings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
hummingnounUS /ˈhʌmɪŋ/
a humming noise
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
Lilly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
majesticadjectiveUS /məˈdʒestɪk/
majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Nothing was changed meanwhile in the ordinary daily routine.
medleynounUS /ˈmedli/
a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
melodiesnounUS /ˈmelədiz/
plural of “melody” — a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
nestledadjectiveUS /ˈnesəld/
drawn or pressed close to someone or something for or as if for affection or protection
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing was changed meanwhile in the ordinary daily routine.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading Nothing was changed meanwhile in the ordinary daily routine.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading Nothing was changed meanwhile in the ordinary daily routine.
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She continued to enjoy this happiness.
the state of being asleep
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
snatchesnounUS /ˈsnætʃɪz/
plural of “snatch” — a small fragment
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
spunverbUS /spʌn/
inflected form of “spin” — revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
the rays of the sun
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She continued to enjoy this happiness.
threadsnounUS /θredz/
informal terms for clothing
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She continued to enjoy this happiness.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
tremulousadjectiveUS /ˈtremjələs/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
twittering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
vibratingverbUS /ˈvaɪbreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “vibrate” — shake, quiver, or throb; move back and forth rapidly, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
WakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nothing was changed meanwhile in the ordinary daily routine.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading It nestled in the cobwebby corners, perched on the books, spun golden threads from beam to beam, and it rode astride on every shaft of sunlight, which, reflected from the opposite windows, crept along the leather backs of the books.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Waking or sleeping the concert went on, with now and then a few majestic bars of "The Song of Songs" thrown in.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading All the time Lilly heard humming within her a wonderful medley of tremulous tones, snatches of melodies, harp-strings vibrating, chirping of crickets, and twittering of birds.
