used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
for the reason that
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
a youthful male person
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
brooches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
buttonsnounUS /ˈbʌtənz/
plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
canalsnounUS /kəˈnælz/
plural of “canal” — (astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
castlesnounUS /ˈkæsəlz/
plural of “castle” — a large and stately mansion
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
cathedralnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəl/
any large and important church
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
churchesnounUS /ˈtʃɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “church” — one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
decorateverbUS /ˈdekəreɪt/
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
districtsnounUS /ˈdɪstrɪkts/
plural of “district” — a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
embroideredverbUS /emˈbrɔɪdərd/
past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
factoriesnounUS /ˈfæktəriz/
plural of “factory” — a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
farmsnounUS /fɑːrmz/
plural of “farm” — workplace consisting of farm buildings and cultivated land as a unit
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
glitteredverbUS /ˈɡlɪtərd/
past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading It shone on the roofs, and the window-panes glittered like jewels.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading It shone on the roofs, and the window-panes glittered like jewels.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
Linköping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
loopsnounUS /luːps/
plural of “loop” — fastener consisting of a metal ring for lining a small hole to permit the attachment of cords or lines
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
pearl-setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
railwaynounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
railway-tracks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading It shone on the roofs, and the window-panes glittered like jewels.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading It shone on the roofs, and the window-panes glittered like jewels.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
stationsnounUS /ˈsteɪʃənz/
(Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Linköping lay around its cathedral like a pearl-setting around a precious stone; and the gardens in the country were like little brooches and buttons.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
trinketsnounUS /ˈtrɪŋkəts/
plural of “trinket” — cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But the people must have been contented on the plain, because it was generous and kind, and they had tried to decorate it in the best way possible.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
in or at the place that
From this reading High up--where the boy rode by--he thought that cities and farms, churches and factories, castles and railway stations were scattered over it, like large and small trinkets.
window-panes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It shone on the roofs, and the window-panes glittered like jewels.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Yellow country roads, shining railway-tracks and blue canals ran along between the districts like embroidered loops.
