used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
aunt'snounUS /ænts/
possessive form of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
borderedadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrdərd/
having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
brooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
cascadesnounUS /kæˈskeɪdz/
a mountain range in the northwestern United States extending through Washington and Oregon and northern California; a part of the Coast Range
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
clumpnounUS /klʌmp/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
doingsnounUS /ˈduːɪŋz/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
drivewaynounUS /ˈdraɪvweɪ/
a road leading up to a private house
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
foamed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
fringenounUS /frɪndʒ/
the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here she secreted herself and waited.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
hillsidesnounUS /ˈhɪlsaɪdz/
plural of “hillside” — the side or slope of a hill
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
HowenounUS /haʊ/
United States editor (1920-1993)
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
HowesnounUS /haʊz/
plural of “howe” — United States editor (1920-1993)
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
juncturenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋktʃər/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
leenounUS /liː/
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
lilacsnounUS /ˈlaɪlæks/
plural of “lilac” — any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
engage in
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
marginnounUS /ˈmɑːrdʒən/
the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
meltedadjectiveUS /ˈmeltəd/
changed from a solid to a liquid state
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
merrilyadverbUS /ˈmerəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
a course of conduct
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
purled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
resoluteadjectiveUS /ˈrezəluːt/
firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
rippledadjectiveUS /ˈrɪpəld/
uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
secretedverbUS /səˈkriːtɪd/
past form of “secrete” — generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
From this reading Here she secreted herself and waited.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
skirtingadjectiveUS /ˈskɜːrtɪŋ/
being all around the edges; enclosing
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
snowsnounUS /snoʊz/
plural of “snow” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
swollenadjectiveUS /ˈswoʊlən/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
tinkledverbUS /ˈtɪŋkəld/
past form of “tinkle” — make or emit a high sound
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
UNRAVELINGverbUS /ənˈrævəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “unravel” — become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Here she secreted herself and waited.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The brook was quite deep at this point and now, swollen by the snows that had recently melted on the hillsides, purled its path down to the valley in a series of cascades that rippled, foamed, and tinkled merrily.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE UNRAVELING OF THE MYSTERY LEFT to herself Lucy stood for an instant watching her aunt's resolute figure make its way under the fringe of lilacs that bordered the driveway.
WebsternounUS /ˈwebstər/
English playwright (1580-1625)
From this reading In the meantime Ellen walked on, skirting the shelter of the hedge until she came into the lee of a clump of elder bushes growing along the margin of the brook at the juncture of the Howe and Webster land.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then she turned her attention to preparing breakfast, and the Howes and their mysterious doings were forgotten.
