Chapter XXVI

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

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

later than; following

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

plural of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

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

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

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

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

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

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

plural of “binder” — a machine that cuts grain and binds it in sheaves

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

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

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

an admission of misdeeds or faults

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

plural of “delay” — time during which some action is awaited

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

a city in central Italy on the Arno; provincial capital of Tuscany; center of the Italian Renaissance from 14th to 16th centuries

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

destroyed or killed

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

a relatively small granular particle of a substance

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

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

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

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

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

someone who hunts game

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

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

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

having much knowledge or education

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

given to inquiry

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

a female domestic

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

engage in

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

the force of workers available

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

in motion

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

the act of assuming or maintaining a reclining position

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

cut with a saw

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading A couple of chairs stood on it when she arrived, and after the maid had gone she drew one back into the shadow, and sitting down looked out across the great stretch of grain in front of the house.

plural of “team” — a cooperative unit (especially in sports)

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

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

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

in or at that place or location

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

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

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

impossible to avoid or evade

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

precisely as stated

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading All round the edge of it there were scattered men and teams, but they were moving very slowly, and almost every minute the clatter of one or another of the binders ceased and she saw stooping figures busy in front of the machine.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Alison had imagined from what she had seen on previous visits that in the warm weather Florence invariably spent her afternoons reclining in a canvas chair on the veranda.

at the time that

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Though she could not make out exactly what they were doing, the state of the harvest-field seemed to explain why the delays were unavoidable.

in the company of; together with

From this reading OPEN CONFESSION It was about the middle of the afternoon when Alison reached the Hunter homestead, and she was slightly astonished when, on inquiring for Florence, a maid informed her that the latter was busy and could not be with her for some minutes.