used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
birches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
a youthful male person
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
clothing in general
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
dewyadjectiveUS /ˈduːi/
wet with dew
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
divenounUS /daɪv/
a cheap disreputable nightclub or dance hall
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
the act of departing
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
mirroredadjectiveUS /ˈmɪrərd/
like or characteristic of a mirror image
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
become covered with mist
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
paddledverbUS /ˈpædəld/
past form of “paddle” — propel with a paddle
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
plungeverbUS /plʌndʒ/
thrust or throw into
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
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 If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
unruffledadjectiveUS /ənˈrʌfəld/
free from emotional agitation or nervous tension
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
at the time that
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
a Caucasian
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
yesterday'snounUS /ˈjestərdeɪz/
possessive form of “yesterday” — the day immediately before today
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
