Chapter XXV

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

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

(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 morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

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

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

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

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

heard or perceptible by the ear

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

quick and energetic

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

talk or utter in a cackling manner

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

plural of “care” — the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

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

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

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

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

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

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

the yield from plants in a single growing season

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

someone who is a detective

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

the act of digging

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

apart from; not including

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

the act of giving

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

the act of departing

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

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

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

musically pleasing

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

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

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

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

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

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

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

the side or slope of a hill

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

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

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

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

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

sing with closed lips

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

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

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

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

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

British classical scholar (born in Australia) who advocated the League of Nations and the United Nations (1866-1957)

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

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

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

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

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

not often

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

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

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

deliver by singing

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

plural of “snatch” — a small fragment

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

plural of “source” — the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

impressive in appearance

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

(poetic) tranquil silence

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

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

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

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

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.

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

From this reading How seldom it is that the mother of children has not occasion for anxiety about one or another! and it seemed to her that she had so much.

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

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

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

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

land bordering a body of water

From this reading Dick was in the potato-field close by; there had been a fine crop, and he was digging them up for the market at Waterside.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

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

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

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

From this reading It was morning, and all the usual business was well begun; the cows were out in their pasture on the hillside; the chickens about the close vicinity of the house; nothing was audible except their busy cackle and the hum of the bees, which Elizabeth Murray kept, and which were one of her sources of income--and her own steps coming and going in her house.

the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

belonging to which person

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

an established custom

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading He was whistling as he worked, but Elizabeth, whose mind was full of many cares, did not sing snatches now of one song, now of another, as was her wont.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Before you came in sight of the house you could hear those brisk steps, stately and harmonious, giving a sign of life in the pleasant stillness.