used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
(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 On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Their foliage now was of a mixed yellow and red as the year drew to winter.
barnsnounUS /bɑːrnz/
plural of “barn” — an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
Carwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
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 Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
cooedverbUS /kuːd/
past form of “coo” — speak softly or lovingly
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
cowsnounUS /kaʊz/
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Their foliage now was of a mixed yellow and red as the year drew to winter.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
eavesnounUS /iːvz/
the overhang at the lower edge of a roof
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
elm-trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
farmhousenounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊs/
house for a farmer and family
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
farmyardnounUS /ˈfɑːrmjɑːrd/
an area adjacent to farm buildings
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
flankedverbUS /flæŋkt/
past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Their foliage now was of a mixed yellow and red as the year drew to winter.
fowlnounUS /faʊl/
a domesticated gallinaceous bird thought to be descended from the red jungle fowl
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
girdled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
grazedadjectiveUS /ɡreɪzd/
scraped or touched lightly in passing
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
hayricks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
homesteadnounUS /ˈhoʊmsted/
the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
huenounUS /hjuː/
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
conformity or harmony
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading Their foliage now was of a mixed yellow and red as the year drew to winter.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Their foliage now was of a mixed yellow and red as the year drew to winter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
pigeonsnounUS /ˈpɪdʒənz/
plural of “pigeon” — wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
pigsnounUS /pɪɡz/
plural of “pig” — domestic swine
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
ploughedadjectiveUS /plaʊd/
(of farmland) broken and turned over with a plow
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Their foliage now was of a mixed yellow and red as the year drew to winter.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
rootingnounUS /ˈruːtɪŋ/
the process of putting forth roots and beginning to grow
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
except for; apart from
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
scratchingnounUS /ˈskrætʃɪŋ/
a harsh noise made by scraping
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
SleekadjectiveUS /sliːk/
well-groomed and neatly tailored; especially too well-groomed
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/
resistant to change of position or condition
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
stubblenounUS /ˈstʌbəl/
material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
substantialadjectiveUS /səbˈstænʃəl/
of considerable importance, size, or worth
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
confined on all sides
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
tawnyadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːni/
of a light brown to brownish orange color; the color of tanned leather
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
thatchedverbUS /θætʃt/
past form of “thatch” — cover with thatch
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their foliage now was of a mixed yellow and red as the year drew to winter.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Their foliage now was of a mixed yellow and red as the year drew to winter.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On all sides stretched the stubble fields, tawny in hue, save those which, having already been ploughed, presented patches of dark red earth.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading Sleek cows wandered in some meadows, horses grazed in others, pigs and fowl shared the farmyard, rooting and scratching amid the straw, pigeons whirled aloft in the cold blue of the sky, or cooed round the eaves of the thatched stable.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Their foliage now was of a mixed yellow and red as the year drew to winter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The homestead wore an air of comfort and peace, in keeping with the quiet religious spirit of its owner.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The farmhouse of Mr. Carwell was a substantial brick building, surrounded by barns and yards, and flanked by five or six hayricks, the whole being girdled by elm-trees.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Their foliage now was of a mixed yellow and red as the year drew to winter.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Their foliage now was of a mixed yellow and red as the year drew to winter.
