adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
adventnounUS /ˈædvent/
arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
apple-orchards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
blue-jays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
breakverbUS /breɪk/
terminate
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
catchverbUS /kætʃ/
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading It is close upon daybreak.
crescendonounUS /krɪˈʃendoʊ/
(music) a gradual increase in loudness
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
crystalnounUS /ˈkrɪstəl/
a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading It is close upon daybreak.
dulladjectiveUS /dʌl/
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
fifes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
flageolets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
flutesnounUS /fluːts/
plural of “flute” — a high-pitched woodwind instrument; a slender tube closed at one end with finger holes on one end and an opening near the closed end across which the breath is blown
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
formnounUS /fɔːrm/
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
frog-invested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
gardensnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənz/
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
gutturaladjectiveUS /ˈɡʌtərəl/
like the sounds of frogs and crows
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
hemlocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
heraldverbUS /ˈherəld/
foreshadow or presage
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
indeterminateadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈtɜːrmɪnɪt/
not precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is close upon daybreak.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is close upon daybreak.
jargoning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
keepverbUS /kiːp/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
melodiousadjectiveUS /məˈloʊdiəs/
having a musical sound; especially a pleasing tune
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
metallicadjectiveUS /məˈtælɪk/
containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
nestsnounUS /nests/
plural of “nest” — a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
pinesnounUS /paɪnz/
plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
plum-trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
racketnounUS /ˈrækɪt/
a loud and disturbing noise
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
robinsnounUS /ˈrɑːbənz/
plural of “robin” — small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
skirtingadjectiveUS /ˈskɜːrtɪŋ/
being all around the edges; enclosing
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
Stillwater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
stirverbUS /stɜːr/
move an implement through
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
stretchesnounUS /ˈstretʃəz/
plural of “stretch” — a large and unbroken expanse or distance
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
SuddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
twangverbUS /twɑːŋ/
cause to sound with a twang
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It is close upon daybreak.
violinnounUS /vaɪəˈlɪn/
bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading At intervals a dull, metallic sound, like the guttural twang of a violin string, rises form the frog-invested swamp skirting the highway.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
westnounUS /west/
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The great wall of pines and hemlocks that keep off the west wind from Stillwater stretches black and indeterminate against the sky.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
woodlandnounUS /ˈwʊdlænd/
land that is covered with trees and shrubs
From this reading Suddenly the birds stir in their nests over there in the woodland, and break into that wild jargoning chorus with which they herald the advent of a new day.
wrens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the apple-orchards and among the plum-trees of the few gardens in Stillwater, the wrens and the robins and the blue-jays catch up the crystal crescendo, and what a melodious racket they make of it with their fifes and flutes and flageolets!
