used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A GOOD OMEN.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
archnounUS /ɑːrtʃ/
a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
aristocracynounUS /ˌerəˈstɑːkrəsi/
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
beeches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
see with attention
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
boughsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
breathesverbUS /briːðz/
third-person singular of “breathe” — draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.
drive-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
encircles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
erectedverbUS /ɪˈrektəd/
past form of “erect” — construct, build, or erect
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
floraladjectiveUS /ˈflɔːrəl/
resembling or made of or suggestive of flowers
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
giltadjectiveUS /ɡɪlt/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading A GOOD OMEN.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
graveled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
inscribedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈskraɪbd/
written (by handwriting, printing, engraving, or carving) on or in a surface
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.
the literary culture
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
engage in
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The six months were past.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
OMENnounUS /ˈoʊmən/
a sign of something about to happen
From this reading A GOOD OMEN.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The six months were past.
portalsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəlz/
plural of “portal” — a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)
From this reading On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading The six months were past.
smoothlyadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
confined on all sides
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
sweetestadjectiveUS /ˈswiːtəst/
superlative of “sweet” — having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The six months were past.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
precisely as stated
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
accept gladly
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The six months were past.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
belonging to which person
From this reading Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.
the words that are spoken
From this reading A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, WELCOME!
