used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
in the past
From this reading The time was late August some eleven years ago.
alfalfanounUS /ˌælˈfælfə/
important European leguminous forage plant with trifoliate leaves and blue-violet flowers grown widely as a pasture and hay crop
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading The time was late August some eleven years ago.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
blurredadjectiveUS /blɜːrd/
indistinct or hazy in outline
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
broodedverbUS /ˈbruːdɪd/
past form of “brood” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/
a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
carpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
CheckeredadjectiveUS /ˈtʃekərd/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
corenounUS /kɔːr/
a small group of indispensable persons or things
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
domesnounUS /doʊmz/
plural of “dome” — a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
dottedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːtəd/
having a pattern of dots
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
being one more than ten
From this reading The time was late August some eleven years ago.
embowering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
fathomless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
foothillsnounUS /ˈfʊthɪlz/
plural of “foothill” — a relatively low hill on the lower slope of a mountain
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
not accessible to view
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The time was late August some eleven years ago.
levelsnounUS /ˈlevəlz/
plural of “level” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
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 At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
oaksnounUS /oʊks/
plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
shimmeringverbUS /ˈʃɪmərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
sleepilyadverbUS /ˈsliːpəli/
in a sleepy manner
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The time was late August some eleven years ago.
stripedadjectiveUS /straɪpt/
marked or decorated with stripes
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
swellsnounUS /swelz/
plural of “swell” — the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The time was late August some eleven years ago.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The time was late August some eleven years ago.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
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 At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading At long intervals ranch houses rose above embowering foliage, a green core in the midst of fields where the brown earth was striped with lines of fruit trees or hidden under carpets of alfalfa.
undulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
unrollsverbUS /ˌʌnˈroʊlz/
third-person singular of “unroll” — reverse the winding or twisting of
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
vaultnounUS /vɒlt/
An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
veilsnounUS /veɪlz/
plural of “veil” — a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was very hot; the sky a fathomless blue vault, the land dreaming in the afternoon glare, its brightness blurred here and there by shimmering heat veils.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The time was late August some eleven years ago.
in or at the place that
From this reading The place that part of central California where, on one side, the plain unrolls in golden levels, and on the other swells upward toward the rounded undulations of the foothills.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
a late time of life
From this reading The time was late August some eleven years ago.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Checkered by green and yellow patches, dotted with the black domes of oaks, it brooded sleepily, showing few signs of life.
