used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
barnnounUS /bɑːrn/
an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
breastsnounUS /brests/
plural of “breast” — the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading They swarmed into the old barn through small windows high in its peak, chattering together as they selected building sites.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
chatteringnounUS /ˈtʃætərɪŋ/
the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine
From this reading They swarmed into the old barn through small windows high in its peak, chattering together as they selected building sites.
cheepnoun
the short weak cry of a young bird
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
cheeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
clamourverbUS /ˈklæmər/
utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
coloniesnounUS /ˈkɑːləniz/
plural of “colony” — a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
covetedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvətɪd/
greatly desired
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading They swarmed into the old barn through small windows high in its peak, chattering together as they selected building sites.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
inviteverbUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪt/
increase the likelihood of
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
joyousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪəs/
full of or characterized by joy
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
immediately past
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
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 The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
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 "Whir, whir, whir," sounded the swish of many silken wings.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Whir, whir, whir," sounded the swish of many silken wings.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
peaknounUS /piːk/
the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading They swarmed into the old barn through small windows high in its peak, chattering together as they selected building sites.
pitchedadjectiveUS /pɪtʃt/
(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
russetnounUS /ˈrʌsɪt/
a reddish brown homespun fabric
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
the act of searching for something
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading They swarmed into the old barn through small windows high in its peak, chattering together as they selected building sites.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading "Whir, whir, whir," sounded the swish of many silken wings.
sitesnounUS /saɪts/
plural of “site” — the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
From this reading They swarmed into the old barn through small windows high in its peak, chattering together as they selected building sites.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They swarmed into the old barn through small windows high in its peak, chattering together as they selected building sites.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading "Whir, whir, whir," sounded the swish of many silken wings.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
swallowsnounUS /ˈswɑːloʊz/
plural of “swallow” — a small amount of liquid food
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
swarmedverbUS /swɔːrmd/
past form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading They swarmed into the old barn through small windows high in its peak, chattering together as they selected building sites.
swishverbUS /swɪʃ/
move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound
From this reading "Whir, whir, whir," sounded the swish of many silken wings.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Whir, whir, whir," sounded the swish of many silken wings.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So full of joyous bustle they were over their arrival, "cheep, cheep, cheeping," making a great clamour as they separated into colonies, seeking a home for the summer.
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading They swarmed into the old barn through small windows high in its peak, chattering together as they selected building sites.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They swarmed into the old barn through small windows high in its peak, chattering together as they selected building sites.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
weakeradjectiveUS /ˈwiːkər/
comparative of “weak” — wanting in physical strength
From this reading The old red barn seemed to invite them; in fact, two colonies had a regular pitched battle over its possession, until at last the stronger band drove away the weaker, and took possession of the coveted spot.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
Whirnoun
sound of something in rapid motion
From this reading "Whir, whir, whir," sounded the swish of many silken wings.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading They swarmed into the old barn through small windows high in its peak, chattering together as they selected building sites.
wingedadjectiveUS /wɪŋd/
having wings or as if having wings of a specified kind
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading "Whir, whir, whir," sounded the swish of many silken wings.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The swallows had arrived from the South; thousands of them there were, long winged and dusky brown, with faintly russet breasts.
