used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
abundancenounUS /əˈbʌndəns/
the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
(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 There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading John Brennan moped about among the fir-trees.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Even the orange-blossoms of the furze seemed to put on an aspect of surrender.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading Even the orange-blossoms of the furze seemed to put on an aspect of surrender.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
Brennan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Brennan moped about among the fir-trees.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
challengeverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒ/
take exception to
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
contributeverbUS /kənˈtrɪbjuːt/
bestow a quality on
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
a small house with a single story
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
divisible by two
From this reading Even the orange-blossoms of the furze seemed to put on an aspect of surrender.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
an act that fails
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
fir-trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Brennan moped about among the fir-trees.
furzenoun
very spiny and dense evergreen shrub with fragrant golden-yellow flowers; common throughout western Europe
From this reading Even the orange-blossoms of the furze seemed to put on an aspect of surrender.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
Hughie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John Brennan moped about among the fir-trees.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
mopednounUS /moʊpt/
a motorbike that can be pedaled or driven by a low-powered gasoline engine
From this reading John Brennan moped about among the fir-trees.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
mournfuladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrnfəl/
expressing sorrow
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
mournfullyadverb
in a mournful manner
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
mourningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
Murtagh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Even the orange-blossoms of the furze seemed to put on an aspect of surrender.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
orange-blossoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the orange-blossoms of the furze seemed to put on an aspect of surrender.
plumedadjective
having or covered with or abounding in plumes
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Even the orange-blossoms of the furze seemed to put on an aspect of surrender.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Even the orange-blossoms of the furze seemed to put on an aspect of surrender.
somberadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːmbər/
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
stand-still
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
surrendernounUS /sərˈendər/
acceptance of despair
From this reading Even the orange-blossoms of the furze seemed to put on an aspect of surrender.
possessing sweep
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He came to a stand-still by one that had begun to decay and which was even more mournful in its failure to contribute another plumed head to the general effect of mourning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even the orange-blossoms of the furze seemed to put on an aspect of surrender.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
a Caucasian
From this reading There was no challenge in their color now; they looked almost white against a somber sunset.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading There was a curious hush about the lake next evening, although the little cottage of Hughie Murtagh was swept by winds which stirred mournfully through all the bright abundance of early summer.
