Chapter I

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

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

plural of “aisle” — a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

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

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

(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 It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

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

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

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

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

out of bed

From this reading The country town of Beckham was astir.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

having undergone the Christian ritual of baptism

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

completely unclothed

From this reading The big bare building filled quickly, the vicar on Sunday never gathered such a congregation.

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

From this reading The country town of Beckham was astir.

plural of “bench” — a long seat for more than one person

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

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

From this reading The big bare building filled quickly, the vicar on Sunday never gathered such a congregation.

a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading The big bare building filled quickly, the vicar on Sunday never gathered such a congregation.

plural of “candidate” — a politician who is running for public office

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

such that alteration is possible; having a marked tendency to change

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

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

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

the yard associated with a church

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

lacking definite form or limits

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

the act of gathering something together

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church

From this reading The big bare building filled quickly, the vicar on Sunday never gathered such a congregation.

soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The country town of Beckham was astir.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading The big bare building filled quickly, the vicar on Sunday never gathered such a congregation.

plural of “flagstone” — stratified stone that splits into pieces suitable as paving stones

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

plural of “frock” — a long, loose outer garment

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

brought together in one place

From this reading The big bare building filled quickly, the vicar on Sunday never gathered such a congregation.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

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

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

ten 10s

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

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

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

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

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The big bare building filled quickly, the vicar on Sunday never gathered such a congregation.

-ing form of “occupy” — keep busy with

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The country town of Beckham was astir.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

with speed

From this reading The big bare building filled quickly, the vicar on Sunday never gathered such a congregation.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The big bare building filled quickly, the vicar on Sunday never gathered such a congregation.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading The big bare building filled quickly, the vicar on Sunday never gathered such a congregation.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

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

From this reading The country town of Beckham was astir.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

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

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

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

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The country town of Beckham was astir.

inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

lacking in schooling

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

plural of “vehicle” — a conveyance that transports people or objects

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman

From this reading The big bare building filled quickly, the vicar on Sunday never gathered such a congregation.

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

From this reading The country town of Beckham was astir.

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

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

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

From this reading Three or four hundred lads and lasses of Beckham and the neighborhood were collecting at the sound of the church-bells for the bishop to lay his hands on their empty heads and confirm them in the faith in which they were baptized.

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

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

which person or people

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The candidates filled the two middle aisles, the girls occupying the whole of one and the front benches of the other, the boys the rest.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading It was a cloudy, changeful May afternoon, and the white-capped country lasses who were alighting from all sorts of strange vehicles at the churchyard gate had to hold up their clean cotton frocks with what untutored grace they might, as they trod the worn, wet flagstones that led up to the church door.