used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
battle-field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
bomb-riven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The creamy, gold-centered roses that clambered up the pillars of the portico caught the dew and glistened.
charmedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrmd/
strongly attracted
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
clamberedverbUS /ˈklæmbərd/
past form of “clamber” — climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
From this reading The creamy, gold-centered roses that clambered up the pillars of the portico caught the dew and glistened.
conscientiousadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnʃiˈenʃəs/
characterized by extreme care and great effort
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
contractornounUS /ˈkɑːntræktər/
someone (a person or firm) who contracts to build things
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
creamyadjectiveUS /ˈkriːmi/
of the color of cream
From this reading The creamy, gold-centered roses that clambered up the pillars of the portico caught the dew and glistened.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
cupolanounUS /kəˈpoʊlə/
a vertical cylindrical furnace for melting iron for casting
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading The creamy, gold-centered roses that clambered up the pillars of the portico caught the dew and glistened.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
fissuresnounUS /ˈfɪʃərz/
plural of “fissure” — a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
glistenedverbUS /ˈɡlɪsənd/
past form of “glisten” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The creamy, gold-centered roses that clambered up the pillars of the portico caught the dew and glistened.
gold-centered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The creamy, gold-centered roses that clambered up the pillars of the portico caught the dew and glistened.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
imperceptibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbəl/
impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
liliesnounUS /ˈlɪliz/
plural of “lily” — any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
mocking-bird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
odorsnounUS /ˈoʊdərz/
plural of “odor” — any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
on one occasion
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
and nothing more
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading The creamy, gold-centered roses that clambered up the pillars of the portico caught the dew and glistened.
pledgedadjectiveUS /pledʒd/
bound by or as if by an oath
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
porticonounUS /ˈpɔːrtəkoʊ/
a porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered and often columned area
From this reading The creamy, gold-centered roses that clambered up the pillars of the portico caught the dew and glistened.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The creamy, gold-centered roses that clambered up the pillars of the portico caught the dew and glistened.
shatteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃætərd/
ruined or disrupted
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
in or at or to some place
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
sunkenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌŋkən/
having a sunken area
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
terracesnounUS /ˈterəsəz/
plural of “terrace” — usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The creamy, gold-centered roses that clambered up the pillars of the portico caught the dew and glistened.
upheldverbUS /əpˈheld/
inflected form of “uphold” — keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
vistasnounUS /ˈvɪstəz/
plural of “vista” — the visual percept of a region
From this reading One could look out at the cruel old battle-field only through their charmed vistas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Delicate odors drifted along the imperceptible current of the air from the lilies that grew in the fissures of the bomb-riven stones which had once upheld the sunken terraces.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A mocking-bird, perched somewhere on the shattered cupola, was singing as if he were a conscientious contractor, pledged to supply the earth with music.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading THERE was a golden moon in the purple dusk, and the world was sweet one night.
