Chapter XVIII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A sense of home wrapped Andy close as he stood there watching.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

react verbally

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A sense of home wrapped Andy close as he stood there watching.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

of short duration or distance

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

capability to perform or produce

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

the yard associated with a church

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading A sense of home wrapped Andy close as he stood there watching.

placed crosswise

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

make a crushing noise

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

intense or sharp

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

comparative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

abounding in grass

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

rock fragments and pebbles

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A sense of home wrapped Andy close as he stood there watching.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

a narrow way or road

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

immediately past

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

above and across; more than

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

a course of conduct

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

with low volume

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

put or confide something in a person or thing

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

presiding officer of a school

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading A sense of home wrapped Andy close as he stood there watching.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

a large number or amount

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A sense of home wrapped Andy close as he stood there watching.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A sense of home wrapped Andy close as he stood there watching.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

pulsate or pound with abnormal force

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion

From this reading “Crunch! crunch!” sounded a faint footstep on the distant gravel of the churchyard path—then silence as the schoolmaster crossed the field—and a smell of tobacco in the night air close at hand.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

the topmost one of two

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

English writer (1925-1994)

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading A sense of home wrapped Andy close as he stood there watching.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

during the time that

From this reading ANDY leaned over the gate while the throb of the motor grew fainter—ceased—and the dew fell quietly upon the grassy edge of the lane.

which person or people

From this reading During the last months he had gained a new capacity for love—that exquisite, human love of places which can never be explained to those who do not know it.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Already lights shone from the upper windows of the village, little stars of home twinkling out in brief, pathetic bravery an answer to the eternal repose of Charles’ Wain above the chimney stacks.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading A sense of home wrapped Andy close as he stood there watching.