used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
anew
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
how long something has existed
From this reading JUNE--HAMPSHIRE--THE GOLDEN AGE--TRAHERNE HAMPSHIRE.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
angelicadjectiveUS /ˌænˈdʒelɪk/
marked by utter benignity; resembling or befitting an angel or saint
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
beginsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
blundersnounUS /ˈblʌndərz/
plural of “blunder” — an embarrassing mistake
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
boomingadjectiveUS /ˈbuːmɪŋ/
very lively and profitable
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
chafer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
climbsnounUS /klaɪmz/
plural of “climb” — an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
conquerorsnounUS /ˈkɑːŋkərərz/
plural of “conqueror” — someone who is victorious by force of arms
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
conquestnounUS /ˈkɑːŋkwest/
the act of conquering
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
drunkenadjectiveUS /ˈdrʌŋkən/
given to or marked by the consumption of alcohol
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading JUNE--HAMPSHIRE--THE GOLDEN AGE--TRAHERNE HAMPSHIRE.
HAMPSHIREnounUS /ˈhæmpʃər/
a county of southern England on the English Channel
From this reading JUNE--HAMPSHIRE--THE GOLDEN AGE--TRAHERNE HAMPSHIRE.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
indoorsadverbUS /ˈɪndɔːrz/
within a building
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading JUNE--HAMPSHIRE--THE GOLDEN AGE--TRAHERNE HAMPSHIRE.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
immediately past
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
lovelier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
moannounUS /moʊn/
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
by chance
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
pinions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
proceedsnounUS /prəˈsiːdz/
the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
restsnounUS /rests/
plural of “rest” — something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
six-legged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
the season of growth
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
supportingadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
furnishing support and encouragement
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JUNE--HAMPSHIRE--THE GOLDEN AGE--TRAHERNE HAMPSHIRE.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now day by day, indoors and out of doors, the conquest of spring proceeds to the music of the conquerors.
TRAHERNE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JUNE--HAMPSHIRE--THE GOLDEN AGE--TRAHERNE HAMPSHIRE.
trembleverbUS /ˈtrembəl/
move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
unfurlingverbUS /ənˈfɜːrlɪŋ/
-ing form of “unfurl” — unroll, unfold, or spread out or be unrolled, unfolded, or spread out from a furled state
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
at the time that
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
a Caucasian
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
wind-blown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his painful climbing he looks human, as perhaps a man looks angelic to an angel; but there is nothing lovelier and more surprising than the unfurling of his pinions like a magic wind-blown cloak out of that hard mail.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading He climbs, six-legged and slow, up the curtain, supporting himself now and then by unfurling his wings, or if not he falls with a drunken moan, then begins to climb again, and at last blunders about the room like a ball that must strike something, the white ceiling, the white paper, the lamp, and when he falls he rests.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One evening the first chafer comes to the lamp, and his booming makes the ears tremble with dim apprehension.
