used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
abidingadjectiveUS /əˈbaɪdɪŋ/
lasting a long time
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
aboundingadjectiveUS /əˈbaʊndɪŋ/
existing in abundance
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
aggregations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
alluringadjectiveUS /əˈlʊrɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
ArcticnounUS /ˈɑːrktɪk/
the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
BIRD-LIFE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
bird-world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
comprisingverbUS /kəmˈpraɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “comprise” — be composed of
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
depictingnounUS /dɪˈpɪktɪŋ/
a representation by picture or portraiture
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
dissimilaradjectiveUS /dɪˈsɪmələr/
not similar
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
droughtnounUS /draʊt/
a shortage of rainfall
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
exceptionaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈsepʃənəl/
far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
half-a-dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
infiniteadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfənət/
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
kaleidoscopicadjective
continually shifting or rapidly changing
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
lendsverbUS /lendz/
third-person singular of “lend” — bestow a quality on
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
marisma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
MARISMAS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
marsh-dwellers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
myriadnounUS /ˈmɪriəd/
a large indefinite number
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
not any; not one
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
nowherenounUS /ˈnoʊwer/
an insignificant place
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
and nothing more
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
presentsnounUS /ˈprezənts/
plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
proposeverbUS /prəˈpoʊz/
make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
recapitulateverbUS /ˌriːkəˈpɪtʃəleɪt/
summarize briefly
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
express in words
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
spectaclesnounUS /ˈspektəkəlz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
the season of growth
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
SPRING-TIME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
surpassedverbUS /sərˈpæst/
past form of “surpass” — distinguish oneself
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
undescribed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
vaster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Arctic are vaster aggregations, but these, comprising, say, only half-a-dozen species, are less attractive.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading These scenes have already been described--we have ourselves described them in detail, and do not propose to recapitulate, alluring though the subject be.
at the time that
From this reading Here we purpose depicting bird-life under undescribed conditions--in a spring when, by reason of exceptional drought, the myriad marsh-dwellers find themselves entirely at fault.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading SPRING-TIME IN THE MARISMAS BIRD-LIFE IN A DRY SEASON Bird-life in the Spanish marisma--in spring no less than in winter--presents spectacles of such abounding variety as can nowhere in Europe be surpassed.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading It is the infinite kaleidoscopic succession of graceful and dissimilar forms that hour by hour flash on one's sight--in a word, it is variety that lends abiding charm to our Spanish bird-world.
