used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
anew
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
on or to one side
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
blownadjectiveUS /bloʊn/
being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
boughsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
forbiddingadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
incredibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkredəbəl/
beyond belief or understanding
From this reading These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
held up in the air
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
lightnessnounUS /ˈlaɪtnəs/
a feeling of joy and pride
From this reading These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
nakedlyadverb
in an exposed manner; without protection or defense
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
ribbon-leaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
spreadingnounUS /ˈspredɪŋ/
process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
successive (without a break)
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/
spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
thinnernounUS /ˈθɪnər/
a diluting agent
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
unreasonableadjectiveUS /ənˈriːznəbəl/
not reasonable; not showing good judgment
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE TEMPLE Now the trees were thinner again, and of a changing character.
at the time that
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They appeared to be a larger variety of those which we had encountered during the previous night.
widthnounUS /wɪdθ/
the extent of something from side to side
From this reading These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Light and graceful they rose around us, with a crown of spreading boughs from which long ribbon-leaves fell thickly.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The air was quiet, but not with the unreasonable stillness of the area of that forbidding will, and when a light wind moved, the leaves were lifted like a woman’s hair, and blown aside, so that the straight slim trunks showed nakedly between them.
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 These leaves were many yards in length, of the width of a finger, and of an almost incredible lightness.
