Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

(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 The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

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

From this reading No carriage, or even pedestrian, has passed for an hour.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

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

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

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

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

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

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading No carriage, or even pedestrian, has passed for an hour.

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

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

increase twofold

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

half asleep

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

plural of “dwelling” — housing that someone is living in

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

one or the other of two

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

plural of “elm” — any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

divisible by two

From this reading No carriage, or even pedestrian, has passed for an hour.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

abounding in grass

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

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

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading No carriage, or even pedestrian, has passed for an hour.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading No carriage, or even pedestrian, has passed for an hour.

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

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

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

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

not close together in time

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

-ing form of “latch” — fasten with a latch

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

moving slowly and gently

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

not any; not one

From this reading No carriage, or even pedestrian, has passed for an hour.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

according to the clock

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

occurring from time to time

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

and nothing more

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No carriage, or even pedestrian, has passed for an hour.

above and across; more than

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading No carriage, or even pedestrian, has passed for an hour.

a person who travels by foot

From this reading No carriage, or even pedestrian, has passed for an hour.

participate in games or sport

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

something that makes repeated and regular interruptions or divisions

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

a road (especially that part of a road) over which vehicles travel

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

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

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

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

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

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

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

not in physical motion

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

take away possessions from someone

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

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

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

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 The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading The occasional voices of children at play in some garden, the latching of a gate far down the street, the dying fall of a drowsy chanticleer, are but the punctuation of the poem of summer silence that has been flowing on all the afternoon.

the quality of being attractive and exciting (especially sexually exciting)

From this reading It is four o'clock of a sunny August afternoon, and a quiet, Sabbath-like but for its lazy voluptuousness, broods over the scene.

during the time that

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.

to a great degree

From this reading The dwellings on either side are not only widely parted by the broad street, but are still further isolated, each in its large garden of ancient fruit trees.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is a village street, with great elms on either side, while along the middle stands another row set in a narrow strip of grassy common, so that the street and roadway are in reality double.